Riverwalk Hotel and Conference Center
Neenah WI 
Thursday and Friday March 27-28

Loriann Knapton, DTR, SNS
Conference Chair

The Spring Conference on special dietary needs turned out to be a terrific learning opportunity for those who were able to attend.  Conference highlights included a very well attended pre-conference on Thursday evening and several excellent breakouts on Friday. In addition the traditional Thursday evening vendor show always proves to be a very popular part of the conference agenda with attendees having the opportunity to meet and greet industry members while learning about new products and marketing ideas.   

The Pre-conference training module entitled Meeting Children’s Special Food and Nutrition Needs in Child Nutrition Programs was developed by the National School Foodservice Institute (NFSMI) and was given by presenter Mary Agnes Boni, RD,MS.  The session included identification and discussion of several disabilities school nutrition professionals sometimes encounter with children participating in their programs.  Participants learned about juvenile diabetes, severe food allergies and inborn errors of metabolism such as phenylketonuria (PKU), through both lecture and hands on learning activities.  NFSMI provides many wonderful resources to school nutrition professionals including the Food Buying Guide and the Healthy Menu Planner. NSFMI also offers several training opportunities, satellite seminars, and print materials which are available through their website.  If you aren’t familiar with the Institute please check out their website at: http://www.nfsmi.org. 

Friday morning breakouts included committee updates; an additional session by Mari Agnes Boni on USDA regulations as they relate to special dietary needs and a session by DPI’s Linda Krueger, SNS, entitled Looking at Food Allergies Through Different Eyes. This excellent breakout reminded participants that keeping the focus on the child, utilizing effective and open communication, and adopting a team approach are the most critical components of successfully managing special dietary needs in the school setting.

Afternoon breakouts included a well-received panel discussion on one school district’s efforts to meet the needs of children with severe food allergies. Panel members included Menasha Joint School District Foodservice Director Sue Malesa, School Nurse Cheryl Laabs, and parent Suzanne McDonald, who’s son George has a severe peanut allergy and attends school in Menasha, as well as Linda Krueger from DPI.  Following the panel Sue Malesa partnered with County nurse Sue Nett, to provide additional insight on how utilizing a team approach in the Menasha school system has created a very positive approach to managing special dietary needs in the school’s cafeterias. The Conference was capped off with a very interesting update by SNA national president elect Katie Wilson, SNS, MS, PhD, on the trends and issues currently impacting Child nutrition programs.
 
On behalf of the conference committee I’d like to thank each of the presenters for helping make the 2008 Spring Conference a success.  Many people offered their time and expertise to provide a quality learning opportunity for everyone.  SNA – Wisconsin thrives only because of the efforts of so many wonderful volunteers.  Also a huge thank you to Melissa Savin and Jennifer Rzepka, for beautifully managing the details! Thank you everyone – Looking forward to seeing you in Green Bay!