May 2017 – Gary Vonck’s Last Blog Post
Posted: May 3, 2017
It is encouraging to see that U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue, is getting engaged with school nutrition challenges right out of the gate. It will be a great day when we reach a stable point for sustainable programs. The challenges are many, but with all stakeholders being part of the conversation, resolution will be the next step.
The feedback from the Legislative Action Conference Hill visits is very concerning. There are many who are looking to the party line and thus the Block Grant issue is very real. Even though we all understand the looming deconstruction of school lunch that will occur, many legislators think this is the great fix–such a callous outlook. We must all stand united to fight Block Grants! It is the right and socially responsible position for our children.
And finally, it is my time to say goodbye. It’s been an amazing journey, from Mary Hill appointing me to my first task force in 2008, Katie Wilson appointing me to the Industry Advisory Board later that year, and joining the SNA Board in 2012. That road now comes to an end on July 31 this year. It’s been an honor to serve you.
Michael Miller from SMART Temps will do a fine job. Please support him and engage with him for the cause we all believe in so passionately. You all have so much to give!
In closing, I leave you a quote from famed distance runner, Steve Prefontaine: “To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift.”
Sincerely,
Gary Vonck
SNA Industry Representative
Published in – Industry Insider: News from SchoolNutrition.org – May, 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.