HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 959 Offered February 19, 2007 Commending School Nutrition Association of Virginia, Inc. ---------- Patron-- Ebbin ----------

WHEREAS, the School Nutrition Association of Virginia, Inc., formerly the Virginia School Food Service Association, is a nonprofit, statewide professional organization representing more than 1,650 members who provide high-quality, low-cost meals to students across the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, the School Nutrition Association (SNA) of Virginia, Inc., works to ensure all children have access to healthful school meals and nutrition education while meeting the nutrition standards set in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans; and

WHEREAS, always looking to the future, the SNA of Virginia provides its members with education and training, as well as sets high nutritional standards with its certification and credentialing programs; and

WHEREAS, the SNA of Virginia works with the national School Nutrition Association to develop and encourage the highest standards in school food service and nutrition programs and provides educational opportunities to ensure the professional development of its members; and

WHEREAS, the SNA of Virginia is recognized as the authority on school nutrition because of its dedication to advancing the availability, quality, and acceptance of school nutrition programs as an integral part of public education since 1949; and

WHEREAS, the SNA of Virginia strives to increase the number of breakfasts served to Virginia students, recognizing that studies show breakfast is the key to better nutrition, child health, and improved school attendance and performance, which includes SOL testing; and

WHEREAS, in the 2005-2006 school year, the SNA of Virginia increased the number of breakfasts served to students by 13 million over the previous year and served a total of 33,083,824 breakfasts; and

WHEREAS, seventy-two percent of these breakfasts were served free or at reduced price to eligible students who would not have had access to a healthy morning meal; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the School Nutrition Association of Virginia, Inc., for over five decades of outstanding service to the Commonwealth; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the president of the School Nutrition Association of Virginia, Inc., as an expression of the General Assembly’s appreciation of the association's fine work on behalf of Virginia’s students and public schools.