The new volunteer year is off to a great start! Many volunteers and chapter leaders convened in Bloomington, MN for ANFP’s 65th Annual Conference & Expo. Attendees had the opportunity to participate in exciting education sessions, explore new products and services and network with their peers. We also celebrated our chapters’ accomplishments as well as learned a few new best practices from our Diamond Award nominees. Read more about the volunteer highlights from 2025 ACE below.
Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon – We kicked off ACE with our annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. Volunteers networked over lunch and received small tokens of appreciation. Outgoing board members (ANFP, CBDM, & NFEF) were recognized for their hard work and chapters were awarded their annual chapter awards, including our Diamond Award nominees (California ANFP, Florida ANFP, Georgia ANFP, Illinois ANFP, Indiana ANFP, Iowa ANFP, Kansas ANFP, Minnesota ANFP, South Dakota ANFP, Texas ANFP, Wisconsin ANFP, Wyoming ANFP). Congratulations to all our chapters! (For a full list of chapter awards, see our next issue of Edge magazine.)
Chapter Best Practices – Chapter leaders enjoyed lunch while learning about the Diamond Award projects and best practices from our 12 nominees. Chapter presidents shared their chapter’s unique ideas that embodied ANFP’s mission and vision, as well as served our members and communities. Projects included member outreach initiatives, community service, and multi-state chapter meetings. We hope chapters can make use of these ideas and apply them to their own chapters to benefit our members as well as communities.
Purple Rain at the Honors Gala – This year’s Gala theme was ‘Purple Rain’ in honor of Minnesota native, Prince. Attendees embraced the theme and were dressed in hues of purple and treated to a fun night of dinner, dancing, and awards. ACE award recipients were honored during the Gala for their achievements and contributions to the nutrition and foodservice industry. Additionally, the TX ANFP chapter was awarded the coveted Diamond award. To view our award recipients’ profile videos and the Diamond Award winner, click here and read more about them in our next issue of Edge magazine. Congratulations to all our winners!
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Food for Thought
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Chapter Champions
Learn more about becoming a Chapter Champion HERE. -
Changes & Updates
Below are the upcoming rebate requirements. Documents can be submitted either through the chapter portal or sent to chapters@ANFPonline.org.
- Please complete by June 1 - Officers entered in Chapter Portal for upcoming volunteer year (June 1 - May 31) (Officers must be entered each year regardless of length/current length of term.)
- Please complete by June 1 - Financial Code of Conduct (document available in the portal)
- On June 1 – Transfer Crowded account to incoming president (account owner) and incoming treasurer (administrator) if roles are changing. We ask that you please do not transfer the account until June 1 (or thereafter), the official start of the new volunteer year. Transfer of the account may take 2-3 business days.
o Find step-by-step instructions here.
o View the demo here. (Demo starts at 4:30) - Please complete by June 15 – Affiliate agreement (document available in the portal by June 1)
- Please complete by June 30 - Submit financial reporting template to ANFP Headquarters (include all revenue/expenses for the months of June 2024 - May 2025) - (document available in the portal)
- Submit by July 15 - Fall Meeting Dates
- Submit by July 15 - Bi-Annual Chapter Rebate Achievement Report - Part 1 (document available in the portal)
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Celebrate Diversity & Inclusion
ANFP is celebrating and recognizing holidays/observances and month-long celebrations throughout the year. To learn more about these observances, please visit our Facebook page, DEI webpage, and check out eNews, which will include links to our toolkits and other resources as well as other significant holidays. This month ANFP proudly recognizes:
Disability Pride Month – July 1-31
Independence Day – July 4 -
Food for Thought
As we embark on a new volunteer year, we have a lot to look forward to. New volunteers are settling in and becoming acclimated with their roles, new goals have been established, and opportunities for growth, learning, and change will be presented throughout the year. Currently, we have already implemented some changes related to chapter management to better support our chapters and chapter leaders. See below for recent changes.
Changes to 990-N Filing – New this year, chapters are no longer required to file their 990-N e-postcard. Moving forward, this will be completed by National with the assistance of chapters. Chapters will need to submit their financial reporting template (per the rebate requirement) and ensure their treasurer’s contact information is up to date in their ANFP record.
Changes to Affiliate Agreements – A few changes have been made to the affiliate agreement per the Board of Directors. There have been minor language changes for purposes of clarification throughout the document and to mirror the language of National’s governing documents. A detailed explanation of changes is forthcoming. The new affiliate agreement is available in the chapter portal for review.
Webinar for Last Minute Cancellation – As we know with education meetings, there are sometimes last-minute cancellations with speakers or other unforeseen circumstances that cause us to make changes to the program. Should chapters have last-minute cancellations, ANFP can provide a pre-recorded webinar (prior approved) to replace the canceled session. Should you have a cancellation, please contact Abigail Solazzo (asolazzo@ANFPonline.org) to request access to the webinar to present at your meeting.
RSVPs to ACE Events – ACE is just a couple weeks away. You should have received two invites to our chapter leader events; Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon & Chapter Best Practices. New this year, these invites were sent out via PropFuel and came from our info@ANFPonline.org email address. If you did not receive the invite, please check your spam folder and be sure to respond by Friday, June 13. -
Volunteer of the Month
This month we are celebrating Ariel Womack, CDM, CFPP, of the Georgia (GA) ANFP Chapter as our Volunteer of the Month.
Ariel has been a member of ANFP since 2018 and began her volunteer career in 2022, starting with the role of chapter secretary where she has served for the last three years. Additionally, Ariel has taken on the role of the newsletter editor as well as the webmaster. Outside of her ANFP volunteer roles, she is also an active volunteer within her community, serving Meals on Wheels and a local community garden, Lockerly Arboretum.
As chapter secretary, Ariel ensures the chapter business is managed properly by overseeing meeting minutes and notices, as well as the chapter’s social media accounts. Through Ariel’s hard work and support of the board, this helps the team to focus on their work and move towards achieving their goals.
Moving forward, Ariel hopes to see continued teamwork and recognition for the dedication our members show each day. She would also like to see more members get involved through volunteering as she believes “it’s a great way to give back and strengthen our community”. She hopes members can see the value of the networking opportunities ANFP provides and hopes to continue to grow stronger by supporting one another and collaborating. Ariel also aspires to serve as President-Elect for GA ANFP and eventually hold a position on a national committee.
Ariel, thank you for your continued work and support of the GA ANFP chapter! Your passion and dedication ensure our members have a positive experience. We appreciate all you do for ANFP and our members!
If you would like to nominate another volunteer for Volunteer of the Month, please contact Abigail Solazzo at asolazzo@ANFPonline.org. -
Chapter Champion
Learn more about becoming a Chapter Champion HERE. -
Changes & Updates
Annual Chapter Board Orientation & Training
Thank you to those who were able to join us for our annual chapter board orientation and training session. For those that were not able to join us, you can view the session here. Please share this link with your new chapter leaders or those who were not able to attend.
Rebate Requirement Deadlines
This is a reminder for upcoming rebate requirement deadlines:- Please complete by June 1 - Officers entered in Chapter Portal for upcoming volunteer year (June 1 - May 31) (Officers must be entered each year regardless of length/current length of term.)
- Please complete by June 1 - Financial Code of Conduct (document available in the chapter portal)
- On June 1 – Transfer Crowded account to the incoming president (account owner) and incoming treasurer (administrator) if roles are changing. We ask that you please do not transfer the account until June 1 (or thereafter), the official start of the new volunteer year. Transfer of the account may take 2-3 business days.
o Find-step-by-step instructions here.
o View the demo here. (Demo starts at 4:30) - Please complete by June 15 – Affiliate agreement (document available in the chapter portal)
- Please complete by June 30 - Submit financial reporting template to ANFP Headquarters (include all revenue/expenses for the months of June 2024 - May 2025) - (document available in the chapter portal)
- Submit by July 15 - Fall Meeting Dates
- Submit by July 15 - Bi-Annual Chapter Rebate Achievement Report - Part 1 (document available in the chapter portal)
- Submit by July 15 - Signed COI/NDAs – More information and links to documents for e-signatures will be sent the week of June 16.
Leadership Happy Hour
Join us for our Leadership Happy Hour on the first Tuesday of each month at 2:00 PM CT (some dates may vary). These monthly calls are a fantastic opportunity to network with chapter leaders from across the country, swap ideas, and support one another as CDM, CFPPs. Our next Leadership Happy Hour Call will take place on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at 2:00 PM CT. To register for the call, please click here.
NFEF Fundraiser
The Nutrition & Foodservice Education Foundation (NFEF) is in the beginning stages of planning the fundraising events that will take place at ANFP’s Annual Conference & Expo this summer in Bloomington, Minnesota!
This year we will host our annual silent auction as our main fundraising event that will be open to all attendees and non-attendees! We are excited to announce that we are also having a raffle! Both events will take place during the Expo on Tuesday, June 24 and Wednesday, June 25, from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., and proceeds earned will go toward NFEF’s grant programs, research development, and more!
Click here NFEF ACE Fundraiser for more information. -
Celebrate Diversity & Inclusion
ANFP is celebrating and recognizing holidays/observances and month-long celebrations throughout the year. To learn more about these observances, please visit our Facebook page, DEI webpage, and check out eNews, which will include links to our toolkits and other resources as well as other significant holidays. This month ANFP proudly recognizes:
Pride Month (June 1-30) - View our Pride Month mini toolkit.
Juneteenth (June 19) -
Food for Thought
ANFP is excited to kick off the new volunteer year starting June 1! Chapters typically use this month to put the finishing touch on the goals for the year ahead. Part of the preparations include training incoming officers and participating in training events like ANFP’s annual board member/chapter leader orientation session, online courses, and reviewing the large library of volunteer resources on ANFPConnect, to help each chapter leader succeed in their role. We also have some additional opportunities to ensure you and your chapter leaders are prepared for the year ahead.
Chapter Best Practices – We’re going “back to the basics” and discussing the need-to-know information for the upcoming year during our next chapter best practices session taking place on Wednesday, May 7 at 2:00 PM CT (click here to register). Participants attending the live session will receive 1.0 CE (GEN). We will go over the following best practices and updates:- Financial management – transferring your Crowded account to new admins/account owners and review of the financial template.
- Communications – Sending out mass emails; roster downloads, sorting and filtering, mass email etiquette, etc.
- Governing documents – Bylaws, affiliate agreement, and policies and procedures
- IRS 990 Filing – We’ll be discussing the filing changes to your chapter’s 990.
- Rebate requirements and deadlines – What is due, when it is due, and who is responsible.
- Additional training opportunities – One-on-one training with other chapter leaders and role-specific training.
Annual Chapter Board Orientation – Join us for our annual chapter board orientation on Wednesday, May 21 at 2:00 PM CT when we review chapter leader roles and responsibilities, rebate requirements, as well as the chapter portal and volunteer resources. To register for this session, please click here. Please encourage your incoming chapter leaders to attend.
Role-Specific Training – As new volunteers come on board, it's important to ensure they receive the proper training for their specific role.- One-on-one/hands-on – We recommend each chapter hold their own orientations with one-on-one and hands-on training for each role. (This can be done virtually.)
- Online courses – ANFP has online courses available (at no cost) in the Marketplace to incoming chapter leaders that are specific to each role. (Please reach out to staff for the discount codes).
- Live training – New this year, we will be holding live training for specific chapter leader roles in the new volunteer year (more information coming soon).
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Volunteer of the Month
This month we are celebrating Rosemary Aho, CDM, CFPP, of the Michigan (MI) ANFP Chapter as our Volunteer of the Month.
Rosemary first joined ANFP in 2018 and began volunteering with the MI ANFP chapter in 2023, initially assisting with outreach and planning efforts before stepping into her current role as the President-Elect. She will also begin serving on the ANFP Marketing & Communications Committee starting in June 2025.
While her leadership has left a positive impression, Rosemary credits much of the impact on the chapter to the other chapter leaders who rose to the occasion to help relaunch the MI ANFP chapter. From the beginning of the rebuilding stages, it has been a team effort, and they have worked together continuously to bring about change to the chapter. They have been able to build momentum, form a strong leadership group, and start creating meaningful opportunities for engagement for chapter members starting with their fall meeting in 2024.
As Rosemary continues in her role, she would like to see continued growth in membership and engagement at the chapter level, more mentorship opportunities for new CDM, CFPPs, and increased visibility of the important work being done across all sectors of foodservice. She’d also like to strengthen the connection between local chapters and national initiatives to support ANFP long-term.
Thank you, Rosemary! Your dedication and perseverance have helped the MI ANFP thrive once again. We appreciate all you do for ANFP and our members!
If you would like to nominate another volunteer for Volunteer of the Month, please contact Abigail Solazzo at asolazzo@ANFPonline.org. -
Chapter Champions
Congratulations to the following Chapter Champions:
South Dakota ANFP
Kansas ANFP
Texas ANFP
Learn more about becoming a Chapter Champion HERE. -
Changes & Updates
Join the Conversation! Leadership Happy Hour
NFEF Fundraiser
Join us for our Leadership Happy Hour on the first Tuesday of each month at 2:00 PM CT (some dates may vary). These monthly calls are a fantastic opportunity to network with chapter leaders from across the country, swap ideas, and support one another as CDM, CFPPs. Look for the registration email in your inbox. Our next Leadership Happy Hour Call will take place on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 2:00 PM CT.
The Nutrition & Foodservice Education Foundation (NFEF) is in the beginning stages of planning the fundraising events that will take place at ANFP’s Annual Conference & Expo this summer in Bloomington, Minnesota!
This year we will host our annual silent auction as our main fundraising event that will be open to all attendees and non-attendees! We are excited to announce that we are also having a raffle! Both events will take place during the Expo on Tuesday, June 24 and Wednesday, June 25, from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., and proceeds earned will go toward NFEF’s grant programs, research development, and more!
Click here NFEF ACE Fundraiser for more information. -
Celebrate Diversity & Inclusion
ANFP is celebrating and recognizing holidays/observances and month-long celebrations throughout the year. To learn more about these observances, please visit our Facebook page, DEI webpage, and check out eNews, which will include links to our toolkits and other resources as well as other significant holidays. This month ANFP proudly recognizes:
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (May 1 – 31) - View our Asian Pacific American Heritage Month mini toolkit.
Mother's Day (May 11) -
Food For Thought
This week is ANFP’s annual Member Appreciation Week, and we are celebrating YOU! We are very appreciative of all our members and their hard work on the job, as well as our chapter leaders and all they do “off the clock” as well. We hope you will take advantage of all the incentives this week like free CE, discounts, giveaways and our messages of thanks to all our members. Chapters can keep the celebration going all year long with their members with these ideas of member appreciation and recognition.
Incentives – Consider offering incentives to your members such as discounted meeting registration (limits should apply), giveaways/door prizes/welcome bags, an appreciation reception/lunch or a small token of appreciation can make members feel valued and appreciated.
Recognition – Recognizing members can go a long way. Whether it's years of service, volunteering, years of meeting attendance, first timers/new members, other member awards, or a simple thank you card, recognition demonstrates our appreciation of their membership.
Understanding Their Needs – One way we can show appreciation for our members is by taking the time to listen and understand their needs. This can be done through casual conversations, member satisfaction surveys, meeting evaluations, or roundtable discussions. Not only does this give them a chance to be heard, but it also helps chapter leaders understand the current and future needs of the chapter. -
Chapter Champions
Congratulations to the following Chapter Champions:
South Dakota ANFP
Kansas ANFP
Texas ANFP
Learn more about becoming a Chapter Champion HERE.
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Changes & Updates
Join the Conversation! Leadership Happy Hour
Join us for our Leadership Happy Hour on the first Tuesday of each month at 2:00 PM CT (some dates may vary). These monthly calls are a fantastic opportunity to network with chapter leaders from across the country, swap ideas, and support one another as CDM, CFPPs. Look for the registration email in your inbox.
NFEF Fundraiser
The Nutrition & Foodservice Education Foundation (NFEF) is in the beginning stages of planning the fundraising events that will take place at ANFP’s Annual Conference & Expo this summer in Bloomington, Minnesota!
This year we will host our annual silent auction as our main fundraising event that will be open to all attendees and non-attendees! We are excited to announce that we are also having a raffle! Both events will take place during the Expo on Tuesday, June 24 and Wednesday, June 25, from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., and proceeds earned will go toward NFEF’s grant programs, research development, and more!
Click here for more information. -
Celebrate Diversity & Inclusion
ANFP is celebrating and recognizing holidays/observances and month-long celebrations throughout the year. To learn more about these observances, please visit our Facebook page, DEI webpage, and check out eNews, which will include links to our toolkits and other resources, as well as other significant holidays. This month ANFP proudly recognizes:
World Health Day (April 7) - Learn about the World Health Day theme, Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures.
Celebrate Diversity Month (April 1 -30) – View our Celebrate Diversity Month mini toolkit. -
Food For Thought
One of the most appealing aspects of live ANFP meetings are the networking events. Networking events and opportunities are one of the highest rated benefits of membership. Members continually seek out these events to broaden their network, deepen their understanding of the challenges we face in the industry, and learn how to work with one another to develop solutions. With upcoming spring meetings, consider adding these events/activities to your agenda with a few suggested ideas below to provide one of ANFP’s greatest benefits.
“Ask Me About” – When attendees register/check-in for your next chapter meeting, have them write on a name badge a topic other attendees can ‘ask them about’ (does not have to be work related – Example: “Ask Me About: my pet”). Attendees can include any topics they would like to discuss; favorite vacation destination, years in the industry, last book they read, etc. This is an icebreaker that everyone can participate in and encourages networking.
Lighting Round Roundtables – Like speed dating, this activity encourages members to learn about different topics through quick but impactful roundtable discussions. A speaker or chapter leader will lead the discussion on an industry hot topic, and attendees will rotate to each table every 10 – 15 minutes depending on the number of tables, (recommended 4-5) to learn about an industry hot topic. Encourage attendees to sit with those they do not know to help them expand their network.
Year Round Networking – You can extend your in person networking sessions into virtual events throughout the year. Using the same hot topics from the Lighting Round roundtables, host virtual sessions that allow speakers and attendees to dive deeper into the topic and discuss it at length. Additionally, members that were not able to attend the live event now have an opportunity to network.
Opposites Attract with Guided Networking – Propose a few questions to get the conversation started among your attendees and encourage them to seek out those with opposite answers. For example, do you prefer the beach or the mountains and why? Or do you prefer comedy or drama movies and what is your favorite movie? Or salty or sweet and what is your favorite food? This is a great icebreaker to get conversations started. -
Chapter Champions
Congratulations to the following Chapter Champions:
South Dakota ANFP
Learn more about becoming a Chapter Champion HERE.