AKSNA is pleased to announce the third annual Arctic School Food Service Innovations Competition. The competition recognizes an individual in school food service that has contributed an innovation that has expanded access to school meals, improved the quality or nutritional value of school meals, improved student and community relationships of the school meal program, improved logistical or financial support of school meals, and/or overcome another challenge to making, distributing, and serving school meals.

New for 2025: The competition is now open to all school nutrition professionals in Alaska. AKSNA members will receive preferential scoring. Please see contest rules for details.

The winner will be selected by people’s choice award at the 57^th Annual AKSNA Conference in Anchorage, Alaska, 21 – 23 January 2025.
The winner will receive travel and registration to the SNA Annual National Conference in San Antonio, Texas, 13 – 15 July 2025.

Nominations

Anyone with direct knowledge of the innovation may nominate an Alaskan school nutrition professional; self-nominations are allowed. The person submitting the nomination need not be an AKSNA member. Examples of qualified nominators include the nominee, the nominee’s supervisor, colleague, business manager, teacher, principal, or superintendent.

To nominate an individual, complete the nomination form using the link at the bottom of this page.

Award

The winner will attend the 2025 SNA Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas, 13 – 15 July 2025.
This includes:

• Conference registration including up to one preconference session *
• Airfare from the winner’s home city in Alaska to San Antonio, Texas (round-trip, economy class, traveling the most direct and economic route for business purpose)
• Lodging at one of SNA’s partner hotels
• A $300 cash allowance for meals and ground transportation †
• A cash allowance of 28.2% to offset anticipated Federal income taxes ‡

*, †, ‡ See competition rules for limitations.

Nomination Package

To nominate an individual, include the following details in the online nomination form using the link at the bottom of this page:

• The nominee’s name and place of employment
• A photo of the nominee
• 2 – 4 PowerPoint (PPT/PPTX) slides presenting the nominee’s innovation.
  • The PowerPoint may contain a combination of text and images (no video).
  • Include a script to be read with each slide.
  • The total time to read the script should not take more than four minutes.
  • Do not include the nominee’s name, photo, or a title slide; one will be created separately.
  • The file must be submitted as an un-themed PowerPoint (PPT or PPTX), alternative file formats will not be accepted.
• The PowerPoint should at minimum:
  • Describe the innovation and how the nominee was involved.
  • Describe how the innovation improved the nutrition program or addressed a challenge.
  • Describe the impact on students and the school community.
  • Include relevant facts and figures, such as increases in participation, reduction in cost, etc.

An AKSNA representative shall read the script provided. No additional testimony for the nominees will be permitted at the conference.

Competition Rules

The Board of Directors have approved the competition rules. The competition is governed by these rules and, to receive the award, the winner must agree to these rules.

Nomination Form

Nominations are due by 31 December 2024

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