TASN Awards

A variety of awards and recognition are available for school food service professionals to help them excel in foodservice achievement and to promote management excellence. Read below to learn more about each award.

See below for details on 2026 awards. We will be opening a fully online awards application this winter.

TASN Rising Star of the Year Award

TASN is excited to announce that we added a NEW Award in 2025, the Rising Star of the Year Award. This award is given to two TASN members (one school nutrition member and one industry member) who have been in the industry for fewer than 5 years or are in the beginning stages of their school nutrition career. Award winners will be paired up with experienced mentors and will attend special events to help advance their careers. The goal of the Rising Stars organization is to provide support, direction, education, and community to the newest individuals of the TASN family, ensuring their path to growth within our industry.  

Application deadline: Monday, February 16, 2026

Before you apply:
This application requires you to:

  • upload the name and contact info of the nominee's supervisor
  • upload a personal statement explaining why you are nominating a member (or yourself) for the Rising Star of the Year Award

an image of a crystal award in the shape of an appleTASN Membership Award

Each local chapter or district achieving 60% or better membership among the currently employed food service personnel in the district will be eligible for a membership award from the Texas Association for School Nutrition. The membership award is based upon the previous year’s membership received by TASN Headquarters by the application deadline.

Application deadline: Monday, February 16, 2026

Before you apply:
The Membership Award application form will ask you:

  • to list the total number of food service employees in your district
  • to list the number of TASN members in your district
  • to calculate the percentage of membership in TASN

an image of a crystal award in the shape of an appleLocal Plan of Action Award

The Plan of Action Award (formerly the Yearbook Award) recognizes nominated local chapters across Texas for completing a series of action items relating to the TASN Strategic Plan.Completing these goals promotes the child nutrition profession, raises awareness of the association, and gets members involved by coming together to drive our mission: Empower, support, and advance the community of school nutrition.

Application deadline: Monday, February 16, 2026

Before you apply:
Please read the Local Plan of Action Award guidelines for the documentation requirements and full award details.

an image of a crystal award in the shape of an appleSchool Nutrition Specialist of the Year

The School Nutrition Specialist of the Year Award for school food and nutrition employees is designed to recognize the valuable program contribution of persons who work with the school food and nutrition manager to prepare and serve appetizing meals in a pleasing atmosphere. Award candidates are chosen by fellow food and nutrition employees from the candidates' district and submitted to TASN for award consideration.

Application deadline: Monday, February 16, 2026

To qualify for this award, the nominee must:

  • be an active TASN member
  • work in a position below management level

Before you apply:
1. Please read the School Nutrition Specialist of the Year Award guidelines »
2. The School Nutrition Specialist of the Year award application will ask you to:

  • attach a typed and hand-signed paragraph from the nominee's principal, director, or supervisor stating why the member should be selected for this award

image of an crystal award in the shape of an appleSchool Nutrition Manager of the Year

The School Nutrition Manager of the Year Award for school nutrition employees is designed to recognize the valuable program contribution of persons who work with the school food and nutrition specialists, supervisors, and directors to ensure their school's food service program is run efficiently.

To qualify for this award, the nominee must:

  • be currently, and for the past 3 years, an active TASN member
  • be currently, and for the past 3 years, employed as a manager
  • hold a TASN certification of at least Level 3

Application deadline: Monday, February 16, 2026

Before you apply:
1. Please read the Award Guidelines »
2. The School Nutrition Manager of the Year award application will ask you to:

  • attach a typed and hand-signed paragraph from the nominee's principal, director, or supervisor stating why the member should be selected for this award

an image of a crystal award in the shape of an appleSchool Nutrition Director of the Year

The School Nutrition Director of the Year Award for school nutrition employees is designed to recognize the valuable program contribution of persons who may work with the school food and nutrition specialists, managers, supervisors, and superintendent to oversee the day-to-day operations of an entire district's food service program.

To qualify for this award, the nominee must:

  • be currently, and for the past 3 years, an active TASN member
  • be currently, and for the past 3 years, employed as a director, assistant director, or supervisor
  • hold a TASN certification of at least Level 4

Application deadline: Monday, February 16, 2026

Before you apply:
1. Please read the School Nutrition Director of the Year Award Guidelines »
2. The School Nutrition Director of the Year award application will ask you to:

  • attach a typed and hand-signed paragraph from the nominee's principal, director, or supervisor stating why the member should be selected for this award

an image of a crystal award in the shape of an applePartnership in Nutrition

The Partnership in Nutrition Award for school food and nutrition employees is designed to recognize the valuable program contribution of persons who support the school food and nutrition department (for example, office staff, warehouse staff, or any other auxiliary/support staff ).

Requirements: Any TASN member working in the school nutrition field is eligible for this award.  

Application deadline: Monday, February 16, 2026

Before you apply:
1. Please read the Partnership in Nutrition Award Guidelines »
2. The  award application will ask you to:

  • attach a typed and hand-signed paragraph from the nominee's principal, director, or supervisor stating why the member should be selected for this award

an image of a crystal award in the shape of an appleNutrition Education Award

Nutrition education is an increasingly important part of the school learning environment. At the forefront of school nutrition education is in the school cafeteria and child nutrition departments. The TASN Nutrition Education Award recognizes those who have developed creative and innovative ways to educate their students, district employees, and local communities about the importance of healthy living through nutrition education and lifestyle changes.

Application deadline: Monday, February 16, 2026

Before you apply:
1. Please read the Nutrition Education Award Guidelines »
2. The  award application will ask you to:

  • attach the documentation described in the award guidelines document

 

an image of a crystal award in the shape of an appleBreakfast Participation Award

Using breakfast participation figures reimbursable breakfast counts for the month of October, a percentage of increase in participation will be calculated comparing current year with previous year. Those school districts obtaining 10% increases or greater will receive the Breakfast Participation Award, presented at the TASN Annual Conference. 

Application deadline: Monday, February 16, 2026

Before you apply:
The Lunch Participation Award application form will ask you:

  • to list the average daily breakfast participation current year
  • to list the average daily breakfast participation previous year
  • to list the the difference between the two years
  • to list the the average daily October percent increase
  • to submit a copy of NSLP Claim for Reimbursement
  • to list the methods you used to accomplish this increase

an image of a crystal award in the shape of an appleLunch Participation Award

Using lunch participation figures reimbursable lunch counts for the month of October, a percentage of increase in participation will be calculated comparing current year with previous year. Those school districts obtaining 10% increases or greater will receive the Lunch Participation Award, presented at the TASN Annual Conference.

Application deadline: Monday, February 16, 2026

Before you apply:

The Lunch Participation Award application form will ask you:

  • to list the average daily lunch participation current year
  • to list the average daily lunch participation previous year
  • to list the the difference between the two years
  • to list the the average daily October percent increase
  • to submit a copy of NSLP Claim for Reimbursement
  • to list the methods you used to accomplish this increase

an image of a crystal award in the shape of an appleOutstanding Achievement Award for Continuing Education

The Outstanding Achievement in Continuing Education Award for TASN members is designed to recognize one individual per chapter or district for achievement in the area of continuing education. Employees who consistently work toward self-improvement through educational opportunities are an asset to food and nutrition programs. Completion of a goal such as technical, vocational or professional programs, a college degree, reaching a Level of TASN Certification, or earning a GED deserves recognition by one’s peers. 

To qualify for this award, the nominee must: be a TASN member

Application deadline: Monday, February 16, 2026

Before you apply:
1. Please read the Outstanding Achievement for Continuing Education Award Guidelines »
2. The  award application will ask you to:

  • attach a typed signed paragraph by the chapter president/director/supervisor stating why the above member is deserving of this award and why he/she should be selected

an image of a crystal award in the shape of an appleCertification Award

Any local chapter or district achieving 50% or better of current TASN certified members among its current TASN members will be eligible for a Certification Award from the Texas Association for School Nutrition.

Application deadline: Monday, February 16, 2026

Award Levels:
Gold Award: 90-100% of TASN members certified
Silver Award: 70–89% of TASN members certified
Bronze Award: 50–69% of TASN members certified

Before you apply:
The Certification Award application form will ask you:

  • to list the number of TASN members in your chapter/district
  • to list the number of TASN-certified members in your chapter/district
  • to calculate the percentage of members who are TASN-certified

SNA National Awards

The SNA awards program is a great opportunity to highlight the outstanding and important work of SNA members!
Nominations are due online or to the State President by March 1 each year.

Find out more and nominate someone you know at www.schoolnutrition.org/awards »