NM SNA Roadrunner Spring 2026

NMSNA Roadrunner Newsletter

"In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours." 

~ Mark Twain (frequently used to describe the erratic, windy nature of spring in the Southwest)

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President's Report

Dear Members,

As we begin to wrap up another successful school year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the continued growth and impact of student nutrition across our state.

The role we play in supporting student health, academic success, and overall well-being has never been more important. Our efforts in connection, collaboration, and advocacy continue to strengthen our programs and the communities we serve.

I would like to highlight the recent Legislative Action Conference (LAC) trip to Washington, DC. It was an incredible opportunity to attend alongside our Legislative Chair, Sonya Moore and our Lyman Graham Scholarship recipient, Rosalinda Sanchez. This experience was both meaningful and impactful, allowing us to engage directly with legislators, share our perspectives, and advocate for the needs of student nutrition programs.
Being present, meeting with policymakers, and walking the steps of our nation’s capital as President of NMSNA, was truly an honor. It reinforced the importance of our voice and the responsibility we carry in representing our state and the students we serve.

As we move forward, I would like to welcome Ginger Stockton, as our new Executive Director for NMSNA. Ginger joins us with over 35 years of leadership, experience and commitment to Student Nutrition.

We are looking forward to working with Ginger and excited about the contributions she will bring to the association.

Janet has retired and, on behalf of the NMSNA Board, I would like to thank Janet for her years of dedicated service to SNA.

Important Dates:

PED HUSM Training:
Tuesday, April 7th
Thursday, April 9th
Tuesday, April 14th
Wednesday, April 29th

SNA Important Dates:
School Lunch Hero Day- May 1st 2026
NMSNA State Conference – June 2 - June 5, 2026
ANC- July 12 - July 14, 2026 (Charlotte, NC)

Thank you all for your dedication, leadership, and commitment to student nutrition.

Hollie Valenzuela
President, NMSNA

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SAVE THE DATE - NMSNA Annual State Conference!

Registration is now open for the NMSNA 2026 Annual Conference

June 2-5, 2026, Albuquerque, New Mexico | Isleta Resort & Conference Center

Register here!

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Legislative News

Advocacy…What is it and why is it important?

 Every year in March, school nutrition professionals gather in Washington DC for the School Nutrition Association’s (LAC) Legislative Action Conference.  This conference is all about advocacy.  Advocacy is defined as support or recommendation for a specific cause or policy.  School nutrition professionals learn how to address members of congress, identify legislative actions that affect school nutrition, and how to affect change.

LAC provides a great opportunity to tell your Representatives and Senators how government policies shape and affect school nutrition programs.  This conference provides opportunities to speak with legislators and their staff directly, and share stories about personal experiences in their home districts. 

Every year SNA publishes a position paper.  The paper highlights the most important issues of the current congressional year as they relate to school nutrition.  The position paper can be found on the SNA website and denotes the needs of school nutrition programs from across the country.  These issues and needs are determined by national survey yearly.

Day 1 & 2 of LAC features speakers with knowledge and expertise around shaping government.  USDA often sends representatives to update attendees on current happenings within the USDA.  Day 3, we “Charge the hill!”.  This is the day that 850 conference attendees go to Capitol Hill and speak with Representatives and Senators about the position paper and upcoming legislative needs or concerns. I encourage you to read the position paper so that you will have a better understanding of the current legislative landscape and how it affects our programs. 

This year New Mexico was well represented at LAC.  I have included a list of attendees at the bottom of the report.  There were many first-time attendees and I think they all had a great experience.  They were able to connect with school nutrition professions from around the country and share experiences.  They met with every member of Congress representing New Mexico, or a member of their staff.  These meetings gave us direct access to Senators and Representatives.  These meetings provided NM SNA representatives the opportunity to describe in detail the needs of our programs.  For example, we shared stories about how CEP has helped families in all districts across the state.  We shared how we have seen an increase in participation due to free meals for all students.  We requested support for Nationwide CEP legislation.  When the representatives and senators hear the personal stories and experiences from the districts they represent, they are likely to remember those stories when the legislation is front of them, and this is how we affect change!

Legislative efforts are extremely important and we need the advocacy efforts of every member of New Mexico SNA.  Please consider attending the NM SNA mini LAC day during the state congressional session each year.  We plan this day around the winter board meeting and visit the round house.  This year I personally spoke with all of the senators and representatives for my congressional district.  I talked with them about the legislative efforts being supported by NM SNA.  These talks and visits have the most impact on the representatives and senators.  When they hear the stories of how laws they enact affect the students and families in their districts, they listen!  This is how we advocate!  This is how we enact change!

I will be hosting a class or discussion at NM SNA’s summer conference about how to advocate.  Please consider getting more involved.  NM SNA is seeking support in our legislative efforts. 

Sonya Moore, SNS

Director of Student Nutrition

Hobbs Municipal Schools

Legislative Chair, NM SNA

We went to Washington DC!

Hollie Valenzuela, NM SNA President – Roswell

Rosalinda Sanchez, Lyman Graham Scholarship winner – Dexter

Sonya Moore, SNS, NM SNA Legislative Chair – Hobbs

Marie Johnson, SNS Past President NMSNA – Albuquerque

Steve Carlton, 1^st Time Attendee – Albuquerque

Geri Garcia, 1^st Time Attendee – Albuquerque

Sherri Reinacher, 1^st Time Attendee – Albuquerque

Kathy Pitts, 1^st Time Attendee – Albuquerque

Michael Johnson, 1^st Time Attendee – Albuquerque

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Education Report

National School Lunch Program 

For the 26-27 school year, the National School Lunch Program regulations will mostly stay the same in terms of sodium and grain requirements. Schools will continue following the current standards, while also continuing the first phase of added sugar limits that started in 2025.

One important update is that whole milk is now allowed back on school lunch menus. 

·        Whole Grains: This stays the same- at least 80% of grains offered each week must be whole grain-rich (with at least 50% whole grains).

·        Vegetables at Breakfast: Schools can still substitute vegetables for fruit at breakfast without sub group requirements (as allowed through 24-25), but going forward variety is required if substitutions happen more than twice a week.

·        Looking Ahead (2027-2028): Starting July 1, 2027, stricter rules will go into effect. Added sugars will be limited to no more than 10% of weekly calories, and schools will also see the first major sodium reduction since 2012.

Healthy Universal School Meals

HUSM is gaining momentum around the state as directors prepare for the 1^st HUSM Certification. The PED HUSM team is offering great support in these efforts. PED is hosting trainings in the south eastern part of NM called Meals that Matter. This fun training brings the chefs and other team members to your school to help you plan a Cafeteria Celebration Day that includes taste testing, scratched cooked recipes, help with decorations, parent surveys and etc.

Menu Dates for Certification

 All SFAs will complete the HUSM Menu Certification Spreadsheet and upload supporting documentation for meals served during the week of March 2^nd – 6^th, 2026.

If your school does not have a complete week of instruction due to holidays, Parent-Teacher Conferences, school closures, or other reasons, please contact [email protected] to arrange and alternative week to certify.

SFAs will upload the following documentation to Canvas:

• ·       Cycle Menu for 2025-2026 and Cycle Menu for 2026-2027 (please create a single PDF with all menus.)
• ·       Menus for the week of review from each selected review site annotated to indicate which menu items are scratch and which items are speed scratch (please create a single PDF with all menus)
• ·       Breakfast production records from the week of menu review (please create a single PDF with all production records)
• ·       Lunch production records from the week of menu review (please create a single PDF with all production records)
• ·       Breakfast standardized recipes from the week of menu review (please create a single PDF with all recipes)
• ·       Lunch standardized recipes from the week of menu review (please create a single PDF with all recipes)

For more information on all of this and more. Please join us for the annual NM SNA Conference scheduled for June 2^nd – 5^th at Isleta Resort and Casino.

There will be a pre-conference class held on June 2^nd. This training is presented by Brigade Chefs and will be a fun, fast paced hands-on learning experience that can be taken back to the school district and shared with others.

CORRECTION: PLEASE NOTE: THERE WILL BE NO CHARGE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PRE-CONFERENCE CLASS.

Shelley Montgomery

Education Chair, NM SNA

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Region 1 Report

Rio Rancho Public Schools implemented the Roving Chef Program in the district at Martin Luther King Elementary and Maggie Cordova Elementary in March.

The students got the opportunity to learn about the importance of food safety, tour the kitchen and make their own pizza.

This program helps integrate the National School Lunch program to the students' school day, spark interest in cooking, and most importantly have fun while making some tasty food they enjoy! 

Kudos to all the staff who made it happen! 

Felix Griego, MBA 

Executive Director of Student Nutrition, RRPS 

NMSNA Vice President

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Region 2 Report

Bloomfield Schools Connect with Local Farmers at Annual Grower/Buyer Networking Event

Representatives from Bloomfield School District’s Student Nutrition Department recently attended the annual Grower/Buyer Networking event hosted by the San Juan College Harvest Food Hub & Kitchen. This important gathering brings together local farmers, food producers, and institutional buyers from across the region to strengthen partnerships and support local food systems.

Healthy Universal School Meals Update: Share Tables Expansion

Bloomfield Schools continues to strengthen its Healthy Universal School Meals program by expanding and improving Share Tables across the district. Recently, the district purchased refrigerators for three elementary schools and Bloomfield’s Mesa Alta Junior High to better support these important student resources.

The new refrigerators help keep items from the Share Tables fresh and safe while making the stations more visible and inviting for students. By creating an organized and welcoming space, students feel more comfortable accessing additional food if they are still hungry during the school day.

Healthy Universal School Meals Update: Student & Family Voice

Bloomfield Schools continues to strengthen its Healthy Universal School Meals program by making sure student and family voices are part of the conversation. This year, the Student Nutrition Department added a QR code to both school menus and the district webpage, making it easy for students and families to share feedback about school meals.

Through the QR code, students and families are encouraged to tell us what they would like to see more of—or less of—on our menus. We also invite them to share cultural dishes and foods that reflect their traditions and backgrounds so that our menus can better represent the diverse community we serve.  Bloomfield Schools is committed to creating menus that are not only nutritious but also appealing, culturally relevant, and student-approved.

Bloomfield Schools also continues to host student taste tests to gather direct feedback from students. Recently, another successful tasting event was held at Mesa Alta Junior High. Students had the opportunity to sample new menu items and vote for their favorites. The Buffalo Chicken Pizza was by far the students’ top choice. Cameron Goebel with Schwan’s supported our Pizza Day tasting, helping provide samples and gather valuable student input. Cameron’s Buffalo

Chicken recipe was well received.

Pictured: New "Share Table" refrigerator, and Cameron Goebel (Schwan’s) teams up with Mesa Alta Jr. High Kitchen Manager, April Paschall, to prepare fresh pizzas for a student taste testing—bringing hands-on collaboration and delicious feedback together!

Joanne Rodriguez 

NMSNA Region 2 Chair

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Region 3 Report

Good morning, everyone,

I hope you are all doing well and looking forward to Spring Break. As we move into longer days with Daylight Saving Time, it’s a great reminder that we are heading into a busy and exciting time of the school year.

Here in Region 3, I have been focusing on strengthening communication and connecting with districts about membership, resources, and the benefits of being involved in the School Nutrition Association. Our goal is to continue building a strong network where we support one another and share ideas.

In Mora, we recently began to support families through our Food 4 Kids pantry, providing food boxes to students and their families. We have also continued expanding our scratch cooking efforts, especially during National School Breakfast Week, where students enjoyed fresh, homemade meals and fun activities.

We are also seeing strong collaboration through the New Mexico School Nutrition Cooperative, helping districts—especially small and rural ones—work together on procurement while staying compliant and efficient.

I encourage everyone to stay engaged and connected. I also hope to see many of you this summer at our Annual Conference and Food Show at Isleta Casino.

Thank you for all you do to support students across New Mexico.

Warm regards,

Rachel Roybal-Rogers

NMSNA Region 3 Chair

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OPEN POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT!

Santa Fe Public Schools is seeking a Field Supervisor for their Student Nutrition Program.

Apply here!

Contact Diana Tarasiewicz, Director of Nutrition Services, with any questions.

She can be reached at 505-467-3606 or [email protected].

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Region 6 Report

NM GROWN LOCAL PURCHASING GRANT – TRIBAL PILOT PROGRAM 

NM Grown is a state-funded grant program that provides schools with $0.10 per lunches served to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and other minimally-processed local foods for use in school breakfast and lunch programs.

In 2025-2026 school year, New Mexico Student Wellness launched a Tribal Purchasing Pilot as part of New Mexico Grown. Through this pilot, NMPED partnered with the Indian Pueblo Entrepreneur Complex (IPEC) to serve ten tribally-Controlled Schools. 

Dzilth-Na-O-Dith-Hle Community School received their first shipment in February.

Food items received were Kale, Chard, Lettuce, Ground Beef, Beef Fajitas and Blue and Yellow Cornmeal, and Dried Steam Corn, Green Chili. 

We are thankful for the NM Grown Tribal Program and NMPED, and the future to expand the pilot program for school year 2026-2027 to add additional BIE schools.

For this program, IPEC purchases NM Grown food directly from Tribal producers and coordinates with IPEC to deliver food to schools. 

With IPEC‘s approach this will help eliminate administrative burdens with reimbursements through NMPED.  

With the extra food items received through NM Grown and IPEC, we implemented these into our Breakfast and Lunch Program.

For breakfast the students enjoyed the blue mush; for lunch we made chef salad and Beef Burritos with the ground beef. 

MaryLou Nez Begay

Director of Food Service, Dzilth-Na-O-Dith-Hle Community School

NMSNA Region 6 Chair

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OPEN POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT!!

The NM Food and Nutrition Services Bureau (FANS), part of the Health Care Authority, has an open position and are looking to fill it.

The position is Senior Social Services Coordinator (HCA/FANS #10104044), and is listed on the SPO website.

Here is the link to apply for State of NM jobs.

Please share if you know someone who might be interested.

Those interested will need to move fast, though, as the application closes this Friday, April 3rd.

Thank you!

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Letter from the NMSNA Executive Director

As I retire, I just wanted to let you know it has been a true blessing and pleasure to serve as your NMSNA Executive Director over the last few years.  You are all not only great colleagues, but even more importantly, so many of you have become great friends. 

“A friend is one of the nicest things you can have and one of the best things you can be” ~ Winnie the Pooh

What an incredible journey it has been filled with so many memorable moments. 

I wish you all continued success in all you do to serve the students of New Mexico.  Your dedication to feeding and taking care of each and everyone of them will never go unnoticed. 

Thank each and every one of you for being a School Lunch HERO.

Janet Sanchez

Executive Director of NMSNA

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