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M-DCPS EARNS DISTRICT OF EXCELLENCE DISTINCTION IN School Nutrition Association Recognizes Outstanding School Nutrition Program MIAMI - Miami-Dade County Public Schools was recently recognized as a District of Excellence Distinction in School Nutrition by the School Nutrition Association (SNA). This prestigious distinction recognizes school districts receiving self-assessment scores of 80 percent or higher in all four “key” areas in the Keys to Excellence program. This high score demonstrates knowledge and application of national best practices in nutrition and nutrition education, communications and marketing, administration, and operations. Keys to Excellence is a national best practice standards program that has been a core component of SNA’s professional development and training programs since 1992. It provides a way for school districts to compare their program to the industry’s gold standard while helping meet their goals to serve healthy, delicious food in a cost-effective way. “We’re honored to receive this School Nutrition Association designation because it recognizes all the hard work our school food and nutrition operation does to make school meals delicious, attractive, nutritious, and economical,” said Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho. “Miami-Dade County Public Schools has successfully met the challenges of achieving a quality school nutrition program and we congratulate them on their achievement and commitment to excellence in school food and nutrition management,” said School Nutrition Association President Nancy Rice. As Keys to Excellence users click through the Web-based self-assessment, they rate their performance on national, objective best practice standards. Through the best practice standards and resource section, they are offered innovative, practical tools and ideas to create nutritious, attractive meals, and run the school food and nutrition program operations effectively through sound business practices and financial management. After completing the Keys, directors can compare their programs to districts nationwide on several demographic parameters. Additionally, Keys to Excellence provides school food and nutrition directors with ideas to help promote excellence in food service throughout the school community. The Keys to Excellence program offers guidance on involving the entire school in student nutrition education, for example, by using the cafeteria and lunch menu as learning tools. In 2007, an expert committee completed a comprehensive review of the best practice standards for the District of Excellence Distinction in School Nutrition. Districts submit a SNA is a national, non-profit professional organization representing more than 55,000 members who provide high-quality, low-cost meals to students across the country. The Association and its members are dedicated to feeding children safe and nutritious meals. Founded in 1946, SNA is the only association devoted exclusively to protecting and enhancing children’s health and well being through school meals and sound nutrition education. The School Nutrition Foundation, established in 1964, is a non-profit corporation that provides high-quality professional development, financial aid and research programs to child nutrition professionals and members of the SNA. The Foundation’s commitment to the child nutrition community is integral to implementing positive changes in school meals and, ultimately, to the health of school children. To learn more about the District of Excellence program, please visit www.schoolnutrition.org/KEYS. For additional information, contact Penny Parham, Administrative Director, Department of Food & Nutrition by phone at 786-275-0420 or email Penny@dadeschools.net. # # #
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