January 2017 – Happy New Year!
Posted: January 8, 2017
Happy New Year! May this be your best year ever. To insure that, I would hope you all are in attendance at SNIC in Orlando on January 22 through the 24. Look forward to great speakers and amazing Industry sessions discussing those critical issues we will be dealing with in the coming months. Additionally, the opportunities for networking with colleagues will be abundant.
As we head into 2017, we will be facing the changes that are happening now in Washington D.C. There has been a lot of speculation, but what we know for sure is the topic of Block Grants will continue to be discussed. Do yourself a favor and become knowledgeable about what a Block Grant is, and what history has shown us in terms of the impacts they have on school nutrition programs.
As of today, the Trump administration has not yet made a selection for the position of Secretary of Agriculture. The positions of Under Secretary and Deputy Under Secretary are still vacant as well. My wish is to see friends of Child Nutrition Programs in these positions. SNA has put forth their recommendations, so stay tuned.
This year will be the year of Child Nutrition Reauthorization. It is our collective responsibility to the children of this fine nation to fight for what is best for them—Feeding Bodies, Fueling Minds.
Have a great 2017!
Sincerely,
Gary Vonck
SNA Industry Representative
Published in – Industry Insider: News from SchoolNutrition.org -January, 2017
About the Author:
Gary Vonck
VP - Education Division
Gary Vonck has been with KeyImpact since 2007, adding to an impressive 40-year foodservice career. His knowledge and passion for child nutrition are unsurpassed. Gary oversees the Education Division, which includes sales, bid, and commodity teams across the entire nation.
Gary is an active member of the SNA and was the first and only broker/agency representative on the School Nutrition Association’s Industry Advisory Board, as the appointed Industry Representative, in 2008 and again 2014. Gary has also served on numerous SNA Task Forces and co-chaired several SNA events. Gary was also on the NSFMI national advisory council. In January 2013, Gary was awarded the Silver Friend of Child Nutrition FAME Award.
Gary Vonck is based in Illinois and can be reached at gvonck@kisales.com.