Donna Hendley

VALDOSTA – In 1997, the school nutrition specialist credentialing program came into existence to help elevate professional standards, strengthen the image of school nutrition professionals and enhance personal performance. 

Donna Hendley, Lowndes County Schools director of nutrition, took and passed the exam to become one of 1,450 SNS credentialed school nutrition professionals nationwide, according to school officials.

The exam is a comprehensive four-hour exam that tests knowledge in the four learning areas of the school nutrition program set by USDA. The SNS credential is valid for three years, during which time, in order to keep the SNS credential school nutrition professionals, must complete 15 hours of training per year, this will meet USDA professional standards annual training requirements, according to school officials.