To help the judges evaluate candidates for this award, please respond to the questions in this application. All information provided must be accurate, and the industry member must be employed by a company engaged in providing services and/or sales to the school nutrition industry. The industry member must have been an active member of SNA at the national level and the state level for the past three (3) consecutive years and an active member of both organizations at the time of nomination and award. Only information regarding accomplishments as an industry member will be considered. Self-nominations are accepted. 

If you are submitting a nomination on behalf of another member, we recommend clicking the Manage Collaborators button (below this field) to add your nominee to the form. 

• Your collaborators will receive an automated email that contains a link to the additional form. They will be prompted to sign in to their Submittable account (or create one if necessary). They can also return to the form later.
• A pending invitation means that the collaborator has not yet accessed the additional form.
• If your collaborators are not receiving the invitation, be sure you have the correct email address, and ask them to safelist Submittable's notification email address and check their spam folders.
• Only the original nominator can submit the form and submitters will receive a notification. Submitters and collaborators must communicate about progress outside of the platform, except for the one-way message that the submitter can send through the Manage Collaborators tool. Click here to learn more about the collaborate feature. 

What is the Future Leaders Program?  The SNA Future Leaders Program provides an in-depth leadership experience for future leaders of the School Nutrition Association at SNA’s 2026 National Leadership Conference.  

What are the benefits of participating?  Future Leaders are given the opportunity to network with other emerging leaders from across the country, hone their leadership and communication skills, and learn from seasoned SNA leaders and association executives in an interactive learning environment. The cohort will participate in a psychometric assessment to better understand themselves, understand others, and make the most of the relationships that affect them in the workplace.  

Who can be nominated?  Each state affiliate may nominate one individual to this program. We encourage state affiliates to take a variety of attributes and the diversity of their membership into account when considering individuals who could be nominated. Nominations will be accepted on a first-come basis and will stay open until the program is full or until the cutoff date of February 27. Nominees MUST be current SNA members who hold, or aspire to, the SNA Certificate or SNS Credential. We will accept names for a waiting list in the event some states choose not to send someone.  

Nominees should exhibit the following traits:    

• Strong association leadership potential and support of state association/SNA initiatives    
• Demonstrated interest in further developing association leadership abilities      
• Committed to lifelong learning    
• Dedicated to a career in school nutrition   

The program is designed for members with leadership potential who are thinking about pursuing leadership opportunities. Individuals who are currently serving on a state board or have formerly held a state board position will not be considered for the program.    

How can a Future Leader be nominated? To nominate a Future Leader, state association leaders must submit:   

• SNA Future Leaders Program Nomination Form (due to SNA by February 27, 2026)     
• NLC Registration Form and Fee (due to SNA by the NLC 2026 Registration Deadline- preferably by the 2026 NLC Early Bird Registration Deadline)  

How much will it cost? The early bird registration fee for the SNA Future Leaders Program is $610 and includes the cost of the DiSC assessment as well as the registration fee for both the Future Leaders Program and the National Leadership Conference. The registration fee, transportation, and accommodation costs are the responsibility of the state association.

Trusted by some of America’s largest food providers, grocery stores, and markets, Innoseal is an easy, efficient, and modern bag sealing machine that keeps fruits andvegetables fresh, crisp, and healthy.Innoseal is committed to helping school feeding programs grow and provide school foodservice professionals with the tools they need to help feed millions of school children each year. 

The SNF Equipment Grant Program will award 50 Innoseal Set-up Kits containing 2 Innoseal Professional Sealers and (1) case of Innoseal 28 pack multi-color refill valued up to $11,250 on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible applicants who demonstrate a need based on their current operations. 

REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants must be current director-level members of the School Nutrition Association (SNA).
• Eligible applicants must be a member of SNA as of January 1, 2025. 
• Members that joined after the stated deadline will NOT be eligible.  
• Members that joined before the stated date ARE eligible.
• Applications must represent the entire school district’s equipment needs.
• Applicant's MUST be fully equipped to receive and install awarded equipment in 2026. 
• Applications will be reviewed for need, plan to integrate new equipment and impact of new equipment on school nutrition program.  

Cambro is committed to helping school feeding programs grow and provide school food service professionals with the tools they need to help feed millions of school children each year. The SNF Equipment Grant Program will provide a school with a complete shelving and storage redesign for a cooler or freezer for a turnkey system with everything necessary to store food product safely and efficiently. This is a turnkey package valued at over $10,000 that will enable ready to use service in any location. 

Please note there is a submission cap of 30 applications. 

REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants must be current director-level members of the School Nutrition Association (SNA).
• Eligible applicants must be a member of SNA as of January 1, 2025. 
• Members that joined after the stated deadline will NOT be eligible.  
• Members that joined before the stated date ARE eligible.
• Applications must represent the entire school district’s equipment needs.
• Applicant's MUST be fully equipped to receive and install awarded equipment in 2026. 
• Applications will be reviewed for need, plan to integrate new equipment and impact of new equipment on school nutrition program. If you are a finalist, you will be asked to create a 2-3 minute video displaying your kitchen equipment.

The School Nutrition Foundation and ITW Food Equipment Group/Vulcan and Hobart Brands are committed to school foodservice. For the fifth year, the Hobart Brand Grant program will award equipment valued up to $40,000 to one (1) school district in need of improving its school meal kitchen facilities through a competitive grant process. This could include mixers, slicers, food processors, vertical cutter mixers, food cutters, salad spinners, and potato peelers.​ A ITW/FEG Hobart Brand representative will work closely with the grant winner to determine its needs and help make final selections as well as arrange delivery of the equipment to the district.

Please note there is a submission cap of 30 applications. 

REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants must be current director-level members of the School Nutrition Association (SNA).
• Eligible applicants must be a member of SNA as of January 1, 2025. 
• Members that joined after the stated deadline will NOT be eligible.  
• Members that joined before the stated date ARE eligible.
• Applications must represent the entire school district’s equipment needs.
• Applicant's MUST be fully equipped to receive and install awarded equipment in 2026. 
• Applications will be reviewed for need, plan to integrate new equipment and impact of new equipment on school nutrition program. If you are a finalist, you will be asked to create a 2-3 minute video displaying your kitchen equipment.

The School Nutrition Foundation, Food Warming Equipment (FWE) are committed to school food service. The FWE Equipment Grant program will award equipment to one (1) school district in need of improving its school meal kitchen facilities through a competitive grant process. Equipment received from this award will consist of groups of pieces of equipment from FWE, which includes:

• Heated holding cabinets
• Refrigerators, freezers
• Proofers, portable bars, serving wells 

A FWE representative will work closely with the grant winner to determine its needs and help make final selections as well as arrange delivery of the equipment to the district.

Please note there is a submission cap of 30 applications. 

REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants must be current director-level members of the School Nutrition Association (SNA).
• Eligible applicants must be a member of SNA as of January 1, 2025. 
• Members that joined after the stated deadline will NOT be eligible.  
• Members that joined before the stated date ARE eligible. 
• Applications must represent the entire school district’s equipment needs.
• Applicant's MUST be fully equipped to receive and install awarded equipment in 2026. 
• Applications will be reviewed for need, plan to integrate new equipment and impact of new equipment on school nutrition program. If you are a finalist, you will be asked to create a 2-3 minute video displaying your kitchen equipment.

Alto-Shaam provides a full system of commercial kitchen equipment solutions that address the needs of K-12 foodservice to safely and efficiently serve students the high-quality food they love.  Alto-Shaam will award the winning school district a 1200-UP holding cabinet valued at $9,000. 

Please note there is a submission cap of 30 applications.  

REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants must be current director-level members of the School Nutrition Association (SNA).
• Eligible applicants must be a member of SNA as of January 1, 2025. 
• Members that joined after the stated deadline will NOT be eligible.  
• Members that joined before the stated date ARE eligible. 
• Applications must represent the entire school district’s equipment needs.
• Applicant's MUST be fully equipped to receive and install awarded equipment in 2026. 
• Applications will be reviewed for need, plan to integrate new equipment and impact of new equipment on school nutrition program. If you are a finalist, you will be asked to create a 2-3 minute video displaying your kitchen equipment.

The School Nutrition Foundation and Vulcan Equipment, an ITW Food Equipment brand, are committed to school foodservice. For the sixth year, the Vulcan Equipment Grant program will award equipment valued up to $50,000 to one (1) school district in need of improving its school meal kitchen facilities through a competitive grant process.            

Equipment received from this award will consist of pieces of equipment from 3 groups which includes:

• Select 1 from Group 1: Gas or Electric Stack Convection Oven, Cook and Hold Oven, or a Combi Oven (Gas/Electric)
• Select 1 from Group 2:  Endurance 6 Burner Range or Electric Connectionless Steamer with Stand 
• Get Group 3: Insulated Heated Holding Cabinet (2 each)                                                                                           

Please note there is a submission cap of 30 applications. 

REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants must be current director-level members of the School Nutrition Association (SNA).
• Eligible applicants must be a member of SNA as of January 1, 2025. 
• Members that joined after the stated date will NOT be eligible.  
• Members that joined before the stated date ARE eligible. 
• Applications must represent the entire school district’s equipment needs.
• Applicants MUST be fully equipped to receive and install awarded equipment in 2026.
• Applications will be reviewed for need, plan to integrate new equipment and impact of new equipment on school nutrition program. If you are a finalist, you will be asked to create a 2-3 minute video displaying your kitchen equipment.

The School Nutrition Foundation (SNF) and Winston Foodservice are committed to school foodservice. The Winston Equipment Grant program will award equipment to two (2) school districts valued up to $50,000 per district in need of improving its school meal kitchen facilities through a competitive grant process.

The Winston Equipment Grant Award 1 will consist of 5 pieces of equipment, which includes CVap® holding, cooking and retherming equipment. 

A Winston Foodservice representative will work closely with the Award 1 grant winner to determine its needs and help make final selections as well as arrange delivery of the equipment to the district.

Please note there is a submission cap of 30 applications for the Winston Equipment Grant Award 1.    

REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants must be current director-level members of the School Nutrition Association (SNA).
•  Eligible applicants must be a member of SNA as of January 1, 2025. 
• Members that joined after the stated deadline will NOT be eligible.  
• Members that joined before the stated date ARE eligible. 
• Applications must represent the entire school district’s equipment needs. 
• Applicant's MUST be fully equipped to receive and install awarded equipment in 2026. 
• Applications will be reviewed for need, plan to integrate new equipment and impact of new equipment on school nutrition program. If you are a finalist, you will be asked to create a 2-3 minute video displaying your kitchen equipment.

The School Nutrition Foundation (SNF) and Winston Foodservice are committed to school foodservice. The Winston Equipment Grant program will award equipment to two (2) school districts valued up to $50,000 per district in need of improving its school meal kitchen facilities through a competitive grant process.

The Winston Equipment Grant Award 2 will consist of 5 pieces of equipment, which includes CVap® holding, cooking and retherming equipment. 

A Winston Foodservice representative will work closely with the Award 2 grant winner to determine its needs and help make final selections as well as arrange delivery of the equipment to the district.

Please note there is a submission cap of 30 applications for Winston Equipment Grant Award 2.    

REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants must be current director-level members of the School Nutrition Association (SNA).
•  Eligible applicants must be a member of SNA as of January 1, 2025. 
• Members that joined after the stated deadline will NOT be eligible.  
• Members that joined before the stated date ARE eligible. 
• Applications must represent the entire school district’s equipment needs. 
• Applicant's MUST be fully equipped to receive and install awarded equipment in 2026. 
• Applications will be reviewed for need, plan to integrate new equipment and impact of new equipment on school nutrition program. If you are a finalist, you will be asked to create a 2-3 minute video displaying your kitchen equipment.

The School Nutrition Foundation (SNF) and AmTab are committed to school foodservice. AmTab prides itself on fostering a positive impact on student's daily life by specializing in the development of K-12 dining commons and food courts, multipurpose rooms, and many more.  

The AmTab K-12 Indoor/ Outdoor Furniture Grant awards the winning school district with multiple pieces of new furniture. The winning school district will show that there is a plan for the placement of all furniture by identifying one school/facility to modernize with new furniture. 

The recipient of the AmTab K-12 Indoor/Outdoor Furniture Grant will be awarded up to $200,000 worth of new outdoor furniture. Once awarded, the recipient will work with an AmTab representative to determine what best suits their school district’s needs.

Please note there is a submission cap of 30 applications.

     REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants must be current director-level members of the School Nutrition Association (SNA).
• Eligible applicants must be a member of SNA as of January 1, 2025. 
• Members that joined after the stated deadline will NOT be eligible.  
• Members that joined before the stated date ARE eligible. 
• Applications must represent the entire school district’s equipment needs. 
• Applications will be reviewed for need, plan to integrate new equipment and impact of new equipment on school nutrition program. If you are selected as a finalist, you will be asked to create a 2- to 3-minute video. SNF staff will send you directions for the video application process if you are chosen to move on to the next round of judging.
• Applicant attests that if selected as an SNF AmTab Equipment Grant recipient, that their school and/or district is fully equipped to receive and install the awarded AmTab K-12 Indoor/Outdoor Furniture Grant in the 2026 calendar year.

The School Nutrition Foundation (SNF) and AmTab are committed to school foodservice. AmTab prides itself on fostering a positive impact on student's daily life by specializing in the development of K-12 dining commons and food courts, multipurpose rooms, and many more.  

The AmTab K-12 Signage, Graphics, Décor Grant awards the winning school district with new cafeteria signage, graphics, and décor. The winning school district will identify one school/facility to modernize with new cafeteria signage, graphics, and décor. 

The recipient of the AmTab K-12 Signage, Graphics, Décor Grant will be awarded up to $100,000 worth of new cafeteria signage, graphics, and décor. Once awarded, the recipient will work with an AmTab representative to determine what best suits their school district’s needs.

Please note there is a submission cap of 30 applications.

 REQUIREMENTS

•  Applicants must be current director-level members of the School Nutrition Association (SNA).
• Eligible applicants must be a member of SNA as of January 1, 2025. 
• Members that joined after the stated deadline will NOT be eligible.  
• Members that joined before the stated date ARE eligible. 
• Applications must represent the entire school district’s equipment needs. 
• Applications will be reviewed for need, plan to integrate new equipment and impact of new equipment on school nutrition program. If you are selected as a finalist, you will be asked to create a 2- to 3-minute video. SNF staff will send you directions for the video application process if you are chosen to move on to the next round of judging.
• Applicant attests that if selected as an SNF AmTab Equipment Grant recipient, that their school and/or district is fully equipped to receive and install the awarded AmTab K-12 Signage, Graphics, Decor Grant in the 2026 calendar year.

The School Nutrition Foundation (SNF) and AmTab are committed to school nutrition. AmTab collaborates with school nutrition teams across the country to design, build, and grow engaging school nutrition communities with social media marketing, furniture, signage, graphics, and decor.  

The AmTab K-12 Social Media Marketing Grant awards the winning school district with $83,000 worth of strategic social media marketing services that will grow their audience, drive engagement, and create brand recognition in their communities. Once awarded, the recipient will work with an AmTab representative to determine needs, develop and implement a strategic marketing plan. 

Please note there is a submission cap of 30 applications.

  REQUIREMENTS

•  Applicants must be current director-level members of the School Nutrition Association (SNA).
• Eligible applicants must be a member of SNA as of January 1, 2025. 
• Members that joined after the stated deadline will NOT be eligible.  
• Members that joined before the stated date ARE eligible. 
• Applications must represent the entire school district’s needs. 
• Finalists will be asked to create a 2- to 3-minute video. SNF staff will send you directions for the video application process if you are chosen to move on to the next round of judging.
• Applicant attests that if selected as an SNF AmTab Equipment Grant recipient, that their school and/or district is fully equipped to implement the awarded AmTab K-12 Social Media Marketing Grant in the 2026 calendar year.

The School Nutrition Foundation (SNF) and Low Temp Industries (LTI, Inc.) are committed to school foodservice. LTI, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of foodservice equipment, serving counters, and technologies. 

The LTI Equipment Award Grant awards the winning school district with a Grab ‘n Go Cart of their choosing from the eight (8) standard LTI models-up to $10,000 in value. Once awarded, the recipient will work with an LTI representative to determine what best suits their school district’s needs. 

Please note there is a submission cap of 30 applications.

 REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must be current director-level members of the School Nutrition Association (SNA).

• Eligible applicants must be a member of SNA as of January 1, 2025. 
• Members that joined after the stated date will NOT be eligible.  
• Members that joined before the stated date ARE eligible. 
• Applications must represent the entire school district’s equipment needs. 
• Applicant's MUST be fully equipped to receive and install awarded equipment in 2026. 
• Applications will be reviewed for need, plan to integrate new equipment and impact of new equipment on school nutrition program. If you are a finalist, you will be asked to create a 2-3 minute video displaying your kitchen equipment.