November 6, 2017
I had the privilege of attending SNA Chapter 22’s meeting this week. I have lost track of the number of ANC conferences I've attended but this was my very first local chapter meeting ever. It won't be my last!
Steve, one of our local General Mills sales people, happened to mention the week before that he was going out to demonstrate blender-less smoothies for the meeting. My calendar was open that afternoon so I asked to join him. I even volunteered to help. The group wanted some training on menu planning and I had a presentation on file so we had a plan. Actually, I had a new Pumpkin Pie Blender-less Smoothie recipe I wanted feedback on too so it worked out perfectly.
We had a pleasant hour-long drive out to Dassel Elementary School for the meeting. We got, visit and catch up on each other's families plus the leaves were staring to change color and we passed pumpkin field after pumpkin field on the way. The Fall feeling continued when we got to the school. The serving line was adorably decorated and the staff was wearing Halloween T-shirts.
Steve and I demonstrated how easy it is to make the blender-less smoothies with applesauce, juice and ParfaitPro® yogurt. I managed to slosh some smoothie out on the table but had the forethought to have damp towels with me. Yep, that has happened to me before! The group sampled the Food Court Smoothie, the Chocolate Dipped Strawberry one and the new Pumpkin Pie recipe - which was a hit!
I thought I would share the Pumpkin Pie Smoothie recipe with you and a couple of photos too. I think my favorite part of the day was meeting Katelyn as we were cleaning up afterward. She is a new to school foodservice this year and already loves it. She has a good example to follow, Doris, her manager is in her 29th year at the school.