Alexandria City Public Schools

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Alexandria Named District of Excellence in School Nutrition

The School Nutrition Association (SNA) this month awarded Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) a District of Excellence Distinction in School Nutrition.

The District of Excellence Distinction recognizes school districts that complete a thorough self-assessment in all four "key" areas in the Keys to Excellence program. The district's excellence is then verified by a comprehensive application documenting knowledge and application of national best practices in nutrition and nutrition education, communications and marketing, administration and operations. Given the funding and financial challenges currently facing school nutrition programs, those that are able to achieve this designation are expertly balancing a variety of competing priorities.

"I'm very pleased to receive this recognition for the second time," said Becky Domokos-Bays, director of ACPS Food and Nutrition Services, of the second consecutive three-year designation. "The Food and Nutrition Services team works hard every day to provide nutritious meals to all ACPS students. This award validates our high standards and national leadership in school nutrition. Our students deserve the best we have to offer."

Keys to Excellence is a national best practice standards program that has been a core component of SNA's professional development and training programs since 1992. It provides a way for school districts to compare their program to the industry's gold standard while helping meet their goals to serve healthy, delicious food in a cost-effective way. Additionally, the Keys to Excellence provide school food and nutrition directors with ideas to help promote excellence in foodservice throughout the school community.

To learn more about the District of Excellence program, visit www.schoolnutrition.org/KEYS. SNA is a national, non-profit professional organization representing more than 55,000 members who provide high-quality, low-cost meals to students across the country.

DID YOU KNOW?

ACPS offers more than 80 career and technical education (CTE) courses spanning six program areas. 67% of the T.C. Williams student body takes at least one CTE course. Learn more »