CSNA 2026, Reducing Ultra-Processed Foods & Turnip the Beet

Here’s what you need to know this week:

See you next week!

Are you headed to Long Beach next week for California SNA’s Annual Conference? This year’s expo is going to be extra special as we teamed up with some of our farm to school friends to create a “Values-Aligned Aisle” in the back right corner of the tradeshow hall! Visit us at Booth #144 and say hello to all our neighbors!

We’ll also be speaking on Friday at these back-to-back sessions:

• Nov. 13 @ 8:00 am | NCR Strategies: Why Investing in Your Program Matters
• Nov. 13 @ 9:15 am | Mitigate Risk Through Meal Counts and Menu Production Records

Finally, this year marks 10 years of LunchAssist! Double digits, baby! If you are a client or customer and haven’t already gotten an invite to our special rooftop happy hour, email emma@lunchassist.org and she’ll get you on the guest list! 🥂

Strategies to Help CA Schools Reduce Reliance on UPFs

Check out this policy brief and/or full research article for insights on a recently published study on scratch-cooking in California! The research team conducted interviews with food service directors from 20 California school districts from San Joaquin Valley, identifying challenges to scratch-cooking in schools. We are grateful to have been able to participate in the study as advisory board members. Kudos to the entire research team and all of the food service teams who contributed!

Congrats to Turnip the Beet Winners!

USDA recently announced the 2025 Turnip the Beet award winners, and we're thrilled that 20 California school districts earned this award! Schools were recognized for exceptional Summer Meal Programs that offered nutrition education, nutritious meals with local ingredients, and engaging marketing strategies. Congratulations to all the winners (and all of those who go above & beyond to provide summer meals in your communities)!

⭐️ Resources

• NEW! November Checklist
• SNP Verification Checklist
• Training Library Course Catalog
• ICYMI! The Lunch Break Oct. 1 Recording

📆 Upcoming Events

• ✨ Nov. 12-14: Come visit us at CSNA! Booth # 144 + educational sessions on Friday, Nov. 13!
• ✨ Nov. 12: LunchAssist Happy Hour at CSNA - email emma@lunchassist.org to register!
• Nov. 18: Best Practices in Family & Community Engagement - Healthier Gen.
• ✨ Nov. 19: Our next New & Aspiring Directors Academy (NADA) call!

LunchAssist is an allowable use of the Cafeteria Fund, KIT Funds, and R&R Grant. 🥳 Schedule a demo to learn more.