Child Nutrition Training Academy
The 2026 Child Nutrition Training Academy will be held:
June 8-12, 2026
Mission Statement:
The Child Nutrition Training Academy provides training for school nutrition professionals with the aim to build accountable, healthy school nutrition environments that promote students’ nutritional well-being and academic achievement.
Introduction:
For 57 years, the Nebraska Department of Education and the University of Nebraska – Lincoln have delivered quality educational experiences for school nutrition professionals. This tradition continues to address professional standards and education requirements through the Child Nutrition Training Academy.
The Training Academy is designed to fit the needs of new and experienced school nutrition professionals and provides a learning environment that strengthens professionalism, builds confidence, inspires critical thinking, and cultivates creativity through experiential learning. Participation in the Training Academy also provides professional development hours. Your district will benefit from a better understanding of program regulations to ensure integrity.
School Nutrition Association Year 1 & 2 Certification Training
Year 1
- Recommended for school food service personnel, including directors, managers, and staff.
- Topics may include basic culinary math, Buy American Provision, financial management, food allergies, personnel management, and a culinary experience.
- Coursework eligible for Level 2 School Nutrition Association (SNA) Certification*
- *Earn 36 hours – must have high school diploma or equivalent.
- Prerequisites:
- School Food Service Managers/Directors must have completed one of these courses and passed the exam within the last 5 years.
- ServSafe Manager (online)
- AlwaysFoodSafe (online)
- Nebraska Extension ServSafe® Training | UNL Food | Nebraska (in-person)
- School Food Service Managers/Directors must complete the Institute of Child Nutrition Nutrition101 class.
- School Food Service Managers/Directors must have completed one of these courses and passed the exam within the last 5 years.
Year 2
- Recommended for staff responsible for day-to-day management of school meals program, such as food service managers or directors, supervisors, head cooks, production and service staff and potential managers.
- Topics may include menu development, team building and communication, job descriptions and interviews, food defense, and a culinary experience.
- Coursework eligible for Level 3 or 4 SNA Certification*
- *Earn 80 hours over 2-year period – must have high school diploma or equivalent.
- Prerequisite:
- Prior completion of Year 1.
Registration
| Academy Registration | Tuition ONLY; No Housing |
Tuition & 4-room apartment Campus Housing (5 nights) |
| Early Bird Registration (Completed by April 10) |
$105.00 | $380.00 |
| Registration (Completed between April 11 – May 1) |
$140.00 | $415.00 |
| Late Registration (Completed between May 2 – May 8) |
$190.00 | $465.00 |
For questions about the training, please contact Beth Haas, Program Specialist – NDE Nutrition Services at 402-417-3324 or beth.haas@nebraska.gov.
School Nutrition Association (SNA) Certification
For more information about SNA Certification visit the National School Nutrition Association’s website at Certificate Program – School Nutrition Association.
Classes
Classes are designed to include demonstrations, group activities and lectures. Class content includes federal and state regulations applicable to the school meals program, food safety, menu planning, purchasing and marketing.
Some of the classes we have offered in the past are:
Table Top Food Defense Training : Tabletop Exercise involves key personnel discussing simulated scenarios in an informal setting. May be used to assess plans, policies, and procedures. Training exercise provides suggestions for preventive measures and various resources for developing food defense and emergency preparedness plans. Facilitated by Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN).
Managing Personal Conflict: Participants will identify the many factors that may influence the way people interact and/or respond to conflict. Self-reflection is a critical component of this training that aims to help participants identify characteristics of their own personalities and attitudes, in addition to any existing biases and stereotypes they may have. Finally, participants will engage in identifying non-productive behaviors and in building skills that will help promote successful conflict resolution. Facilitated by Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN).
Mock Food Inspections: An interactive, activity-based training utilizing the concept of a mock health inspection. Participants will be able to explain why health inspections are conducted at least twice a year in schools and the role of periodic inspections and self-inspections to enhance the effectiveness of food safety management programs. Participants will be able to identify risk-based food safety practices and conduct a risk-based inspection. Facilitated by Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN)
Fun with Dry Beans: An interactive class on fun ways to introduce dry beans to students.
Norovirus: Norovirus is very important because more than half of all food-related outbreaks of gastroenteritis is caused by norovirus. Every school nutrition employee plays an important part in norovirus control to prevent foodborne illness. Facilitated by Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN)
SPECIAL ASSISTANCE
If any participants require a sign language interpreter, alternate formats of print materials or wheelchair accessibility, please notify Beth Haas at least two weeks prior to the workshop date at (402) 417-3324.