District Five’s Todd Bedenbaugh named President of School Nutrition Association of South Carolina

District Five Director of Student Nutrition Todd Bedenbaugh has been elected as President of the School Nutrition Association of South Carolina (SNA of SC). Bedenbaugh will lead the SNA of SC, made up of over 1,800 members and participants, during the 2016-2017 school year.

“It is a tremendous honor to be elected as President of the School Nutrition Association of South Carolina,” Bedenbaugh said. “Student nutrition has been a passion of mine and an arena I have been blessed to be involved with for 18 years. I would like to thank the School Board, Dr. Hefner, our school leaders and all the Student Nutrition staff in District Five for their support.  We have a great team!”

During his three-year tenure with District Five, Bedenbaugh has had an enormous impact on student nutrition programs. The district was recently awarded its second consecutive U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm to School grant.  Each grant was approximately $100,000. “The latest grant is a great honor and testimony to the work we’ve done with the first grant in District Five,” Bedenbaugh said. District Five is the only two-time recipient of a grant of this magnitude.

Bedenbaugh is always looking for new way to improve student nutrition. He has created numerous professional development opportunities for Student Nutrition staff, ensuring they bring the very best food preparation techniques into school cafeterias. He created cooking demonstrations, the D5 Chopped Challenges and a district operated catering service which reduces the cost for meals for district and school special events.  Bedenbaugh also established the first district operated food truck in South Carolina. “Pronto Taco” food truck was made possible through a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina. The food truck provides summer meals for District Five students who might otherwise go without. Before Bedenbaugh took over the program, the district provided roughly 4,000 summer meals. The summer feeding program has now grown to over 60,000 meals. District Five has also received several grants including the first district in the state to receive the Fuel Up to Play 60 Hometown Grant for $10,000, and several culinary grants for staff training.

“Todd Bedenbaugh is an innovator who is totally dedicated to improving student nutrition programs and services.  He brings a wealth of experience and drive to the President of the School Nutrition Association of South Carolina.  I know he will excel in this position, said District Five Superintendent, Dr. Stephen Hefner.