GSNA 2023-2024 President - Cathy Johnson

Greetings and salutations GSNA Family,

Almost every successful person begins with two beliefs: the future can be better than the present, and I have the power to make it so. – David Brooks.  This quote speaks to me because even though we are coming out of a phenomenal year under the leadership of Alyssia Wright, there is still work we can do as an association to continue to grow, and each one of our members holds the power to make this association a continuing success.

I am beyond honored to serve as your 2023-2024 GSNA President! This association has given me so much fulfillment over the last nineteen years, and I now look forward to this opportunity to offer something in return. I hope to inspire an emerging group of school nutrition professionals to embrace the many benefits of GSNA involvement.

As I look to the upcoming year, I want to focus on the core purpose of GSNA; our mission is to advance the availability, quality, and acceptance of school nutrition programs as an integral part of education. These are not empty words that we type at the bottom of our meeting agendas. These words are the guiding light to what we all do each and every day. We know that a hungry child can’t learn. We know that the meals we serve offer a foundation for enriched education. The pandemic highlighted the importance of school meals, serving as a revelation to the entire country. Now it is essential to continue that echo throughout each of our districts. For GSNA, school nutrition is not simply a job; it is proudly our passion and profession. We are MISSION MINDED, VISION FOCUSED in everything we do.

I challenge each of you to strengthen your involvement in GSNA this year. There are abundant opportunities for you to grow as a member and as a school nutrition professional at the local, district, and state level. As many of you have already generously offered to assist, PLEASE reach out to me now via email. I will be happy to find the best place for you to serve as we all continue to grow our association together. I often say that it only takes one GSNA event for a new member to “get it”: that feeling of excitement that comes from surrounding yourself with people who understand your victories as well as your defeats, the enthusiasm that builds from learning a new idea you want to implement, the passion for knowing you are making a difference in the lives of children, the fun and engagement, and the satisfaction of growth through continued professional development.

So, join me on this mission as we head into the new year.  Let’s make this the best year ever for GSNA!

Cathy Johnson - GSNA President - 2023-2024