Playing with House Money at 2018 School Nutrition Association Conference

2018 SNA in Vegas, crowd surrounds booth with Think Rice trivia wheelLAS VEGAS, NV — For once, what happened in Vegas, won’t stay in Vegas as the annual School Nutrition Association’s (SNA) National Conference was here last week for five jam-packed days of education sessions, networking events, and a 200,000-square foot show floor where more than 375 exhibitors shared their wares and nutritional know-how.

USA Rice wowed the crowd of more than 7,000 K-12 foodservice officials with a newly-designed booth and information on the multiple benefits that U.S.-grown rice brings to the lunchroom.  Booth visitors received K-12 cafeteria posters, a K-12 recipe packet, and a Rice 101 Cooking Guide with rice preparation instructions for different types of cooking equipment typically found in schools.  

In addition to the resources distributed, attendees could test their U.S.-grown rice knowledge and win prizes playing the famous Think Rice trivia wheel.

“This conference is a direct pipeline to school nutrition officials responsible for producing more than five billion school lunches each year,” said Cameron Jacobs, USA Rice domestic promotion manager.  “Being here positions USA Rice as the resource for all things rice for schools throughout the country.”

USA Rice also hosted an influencer dinner with key school nutrition decision makers and foodservice officials from California, Florida, and Oregon to find out how they incorporate rice in their school districts, discuss new opportunities for rice on school menus, understand any challenges they face with rice, and to learn how USA Rice can continue to best serve these consumers.

“That one-on-one contact is key,” said Jacobs.  “Spending time with the people responsible for menu-planning and purchasing helps USA Rice understand what schools truly need from those on the front-line serving students every day.”