During the closing session of the School Nutrition Association’s (SNA) 64th Annual National Conference, over 5,000 members and participants welcomed a new president of the Association. Nancy Rice, M.Ed., RD, LD, SNS, State Director of the Georgia Department of Education, School Nutrition Division, was named the 63rd president of SNA.

Rice has held a distinguished career in the school nutrition arena for 25 years. In 2008, Rice accepted her position as State Director, School Nutrition Division at Georgia’s State Department of Education, where she oversees child nutrition programs throughout the state, serving approximately 1,188,000 lunches and 516,000 breakfasts daily.

Prior to joining the Department, Rice successfully managed three school nutrition programs, working as Nutrition Services Director for the Clayton County Board of Education (2006–2008), the Griffin-Spalding County Board of Education (1996–2006), and the Pike County Board of Education (1993–1996). Nancy Rice has also worked as an Adjunct Professor at the Georgia State University (2001-2009), teaching classes in Nutrition Services and Food Service Management.

Rice has earned numerous awards throughout her career, most notably receiving the Dr. Josephine Martin Award of Excellence in 2000, the highest honor from the Georgia School Nutrition Association. Rice, a Registered Dietitian who launched her career in the field of clinical dietetics, has also received awards from the Georgia Dietetic Association.

Nancy Rice earned her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and Institution Management and her Master of Education in Nutrition and Food Service Management from the University of Georgia.

Rice was named president at the final session of SNA’s Annual National Conference in Dallas, Texas. The Annual National Conference, July 11-July 14, 2010, featured over 5,000 school nutrition professionals and school foodservice industry members participating in more than 80 education sessions. Guest speakers included Food Network star and best-selling author Ellie Krieger.

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