Virginia Beach City Public Schools’ school nutrition program has again received the District of Excellence Distinction in School Nutritionby the School Nutrition Association (SNA). This prestigious award recognizes school districts who meet the national best practice standards that support SNA’s Keys of Excellence in the area of nutrition and nutrition education, communication and marketing, administration, and operations.  School districts earning this distinction have achieved high standards and benchmark their program to the industry’s gold standards to serve healthy, delicious food to students in a cost-effective manner. Serving 48,000 meals a day – 13,000 breakfasts and 35,000 lunches – Virginia Beach City Public Schools is one of only four school divisions in Virginia designated as a District of Excellence Distinction in School Nutrition by the SNA.

“Being recognized a second time as having a District of Excellence Distinction is just as meaningful as our first designation in 2005,” said James G. Ratliff, Jr., director of food services. “The continued teamwork and commitment, demonstrated by our outstanding food services staff, ensures every school delivers a wide variety of attractive, nutritious, and economical meals to our students.”

Keys to Excellence is a national best practice standards program that has been available through the SNA since 1995.  This program is designed to help school nutrition directors assess their programs using national best practice standards, determine strengths and weaknesses, and develop an action plan for program improvement.  Districts receive the District of Excellence Distinction for a three-year period.

Virginia Beach City Public Schools’ food services staff clearly demonstrates commitment to their mission “to provide students quality nutritious meals at affordable prices.”  They understand that well-nourished bodies lead to well-built minds.  Striving to achieve excellence in school food and nutrition management ensures all students are able to perform well throughout the school day.  The school menus, meal prices, nutritional value of menu items, wellness tips, and food nutrition links are available on the school division’s Web site vbschools.com by selecting the link Lunch Menus found on the home page. 

The SNA is the only professional association dedicated solely to the support and well being of school nutrition professionals in advancing good nutrition for all children.  It is a national, non-profit organization representing more than 55,000 members who provide high-quality, low-cost meals to students across the country. Recognized as the authority on school nutrition, SNA has been advancing the availability, quality and acceptance of school nutrition programs as an integral part of education since 1946.

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Department of Media and Communications Development, vbcpsweb@vbschools.com