2012-13 is arguably the biggest year of change that the school nutrition channel has seen…
Posted: September 13, 2012
Dear Industry Members –
The 2012-13 school year is off and running, and I am sure that all of you are exceedingly busy, as we head into arguably the biggest year of change that the school nutrition channel has ever seen. With the right attitude and approach—and an abundance of communication—change can be a positive force for the future.
That’s why it is imperative that industry members serving this market segment continue to participate in an ongoing dialogue about both the opportunities and the obstacles that we have and will encounter in the weeks and months ahead. We are stronger when we are working together as a cohesive group, sharing what we know and understand about regulatory changes and operational challenges. Many of your companies already are coming forward with terrific innovations to help directors meet the new meal pattern;
that’s something we all can celebrate.
There are a couple upcoming events that are ideal to keep communication humming along. On October 16, SNA will host the annual Patron Meeting at National Harbor. This will be a terrific opportunity to receive updates on steps SNA’s staff and leadership are taking to better integrate the expertise of industry members in helping to identify and develop valuable, targeted SNA member resources.
Your SNA Industry Advisory Board will meet on October 17, also at National Harbor. I urge you to take a few moments right nowto send me any thoughts or issues that you would like brought forward and discussed by your representatives. All submissions will be kept anonymous; please, let your board work for you. Agenda priorities include identifying new engagement opportunities for industry with SNA’s national committees and strategic support work teams, but I sincerely welcome your input on any topic of concern to vendors in the K-12 market.
The week will close with industry participation in SNA’s Fall Committee Days, and I expect sessions to be vibrant and informative.
I will provide to you a detailed report of all of these events in upcoming issues of Industry Insider. In the meantime, I look forward to hearing any feedback that will help me serve you best in my role as your Industry Representative to the SNA Board of Directors.
Gary Vonck,
SNA Industry Representative
Published in – Industry Insider: News from SchoolNutrition.org Vol. 10, No. 8 – Sept. 13, 2012
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.