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.