I was recently reminded of the saying “April showers bring May flowers” and the multitude of meanings behind these words.  For us in the northwest, we understand, while we still may complain about it, that the showers that we receive in April (and in March and in February…) will eventually yield an abundance of beautiful flowers, lush green lawns and fill our magnificent lakes and rivers with water just in time for summer fun!    Something that I recently learned is that the overriding meaning of this saying is that, even though times may be tough now, there will be better times to come.  This is an excellent metaphor for how to endure storms in any sort of relationship.  The pandemic (aka our storm) has been raining down on everyone, including the association, but better times, ones that will see us blossom again, are coming!

I encourage you to consider attending this year’s Annual State Conference which will be held July 24^th to 26^th at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center.  A variety of educational opportunities will also be offered before the conference on July 23^rd.  Find out all the details in this month’s Apple Press which is bursting with information. 

I am very proud of the work that is being done by our conference planning committee, Board of Directors, and Executive Director to plan this year’s meeting.  As we look to navigate USDA’s proposed menu pattern changes, CEP, summer meals, P-EBT, breakfast after the bell, the possibility of free meals being available in more of our elementary schools, continued disruptions in the supply chain, high food prices and staffing shortages; remember that better times are coming and that we are all in this together!  We have proven over the last 3 years that when we work together in sharing ideas, resources, successes and failures, that we always find a way to make sure that the students that we are here to serve are taken care of each day.  We are SUPER HEROS!  Don’t forget to celebrate all the hero’s around you on May 5^th.

If you have not done so already, please consider commenting on the two (2) proposed rules (Meal Pattern and CEP expansion) that have come from USDA.  The meal pattern deadline for comment has been extended to May 10^th 2023 while comments regarding CEP are due May 8, 2023.   Go to https://www.regulations.gov/ to submit your comments. 

Finally, a special congratulations goes to Mark Oswalt (Mead SD). Mark, who has chaired many of our annual conferences in Spokane, was elected to an At-Large Director position with the School Nutrition Association!  

Wendy Weyer, RD, SNS 

WSNA President