TrakNOW will be releasing a new version in April with several great improvements to the system. Some of these include:

• A complete redesign of the Item Activity Detail report to better show the sequential actions of an item and the effect on stock level.
• Production Menu Nutrient Analysis reports will now display the menu items as they appear in site production without referencing the original menu template.
• The addition of a planned number of servings field when adding a Pattern to a menu.

Full details on all improvements will be provided in the release notes.

School District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties, SC

District 5 has used PCS’s point of sale system for over 20 years. This year they implemented TrakNOW for inventory management and menu planning. They have also added online F & R applications to make the process more accessible for parents and easier for the district. Todd Bedenbaugh, Laurie Dodson and the whole team at District 5 are doing a great job. They are on top of new regulations and have already established a district wellness policy that is up to next year’s standards. In addition, they were also the only school district in South Carolina to receive a $100,000 USDA Farm to School Grant. With all the good things cooking at District 5, PCS is proud to be their nutrition technology partner.

“We, at Lexington Richland District 5, have implemented TrakNow this school year for our Production and Inventory. We have been very pleased with the Customer Service and hands on help we have received from PCS. We’ve appreciated their Team jumping in and adding recipes and items for us and going the extra mile to get us up and running at the start of the school year. Miss Ava is always willing to answer questions and offer her expert assistance. We’ve appreciated everyone’s patience in getting us going! It’s been a lot of work but we’re looking forward to reaping the benefits.”

Laurie Dodson – Student Nutrition Bookkeeper/Accountant

On our way to LAC, the SNA Legislative Action Conference, in February, we were happy to hear that the weather forecast was for little or no snow here in the northeast, only to find out that Washington D.C. was in the cross hairs of yet another winter storm. In spite of the weather, we learned at conference that:

• Since the new standards took effect 1 million fewer students have school lunches each day.
• More than 9 out of 10 school meal programs reported food costs were up last year.
• 47% of school meal programs reported revenue declines.
• On average, after labor and expenses, only $1 is left to spend on food for the entire meal.
• Competitive foods account for 15.8% of revenues and strict new standards add to financial worries.

Turning toward Spring with renewed resolve to meet the above challenges, we greet the season with the delivery of software releases with new features and requested improvements, plus updates required for regulation changes. What better way to get acquainted with these improvements and reacquainted with each other than to attend one of our upcoming regional user groups. A preliminary list is included below and emails are on their way for each region. If you can’t attend, don’t worry, there will be follow up webinars for everyone.

School Nutrition Industry Conference

Gabe Aiello and Regional Sales Director Denise Lessard attended SNIC. As always we are happy to renew acquaintances and catch up with old friends. Attendance was greater than ever and the General Sessions concentrated on great marketing ideas. PCS customers were well represented with three present and former customers receiving FAME awards and Jessica Shelly (former Fame Award winner, Cincinnati PS) and Bertrand Weber (Minneapolis PS) serving as panelists for the USDA update session.

Congratulations to FAME Award winners!

Jane Wynn, MS, LDN, winner of the Gertrude Applebaum Lifetime Achievement Award. Jane was President of the national Association in 1987-88 and is retired school nutrition director of the School Board of Broward County, FL

Bertrand Weber, winner of the Silver Rising Star Award, director, culinary and nutrition services, Minneapolis Public Schools.

Reginald Ross, winner of the Silver Spirit Award, former area supervisor, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, NC.

Mark McConnell-Bailey

Mark has a rare and enviable ability to find a simple solution to the most complex problems. In the past months, Mark has done on-site and over the phone installs for PCS and delivered 100% customer’s satisfaction.

“Mark was absolutely awesome and saved us!!!”

Rebecca – Beaufort County School District

“Mark was very friendly and helpful!!”

Kelly – Oceanside Unified School District

Rangy Abines

Between January 1, 2013 until December 31, 2013, well over 13 thousand support calls were handled. We would like to congratulate Senior Support Technician, Rangy Abines taking the most calls. Michael Mildorff and Olga Vishnyakova follow.

Diane Fischer, Food Service Secretary

Bloomington Public Schools #271, MN

“I have been with Bloomington Schools for 33 years, most of them in Food Service. Our district has been with PCS since 1989. We started with the original stop and go light card readers, moved to POS-5’s and eventually went to the Breeze touch screens. We use TrakNOW for inventory and have Netcash machines to accept prepayments in all of our secondary sites. I have thoroughly enjoyed my years with Bloomington Schools and its partnership with PCS.”