ANC 2025: San Antonio Recap
Our Unforgettable Trip to ANC 2025 – San Antonio, TX
Wow—what an amazing time we had at ANC 2025 in San Antonio, Texas! From the moment we arrived, it was clear this year’s conference was going to be something special. We laughed, we learned, we danced, and most of all, we left feeling recharged and inspired.
We dove right into the educational sessions and were so impressed by how much we learned. The classes covered everything from program improvements to leadership skills—and honestly, we walked away with so many ideas to bring back home. It felt great to be surrounded by others just as passionate about school nutrition as we are.
The Opening General Session was a highlight. Maggie Cook shared her incredible life story of resilience and perseverance. Her journey—from being homeless to becoming a successful entrepreneur—really hit home. She reminded us that no matter what life throws at you, staying strong and believing in yourself can take you places you never imagined. It was the exact kind of motivation we needed to kick off the conference.
And let’s talk about the Exhibition Hall… easily one of our favorite parts! It was huge, full of energy, and packed with vendors showing off the latest and greatest. We got to sample so many delicious new products, test out new equipment, and check out everything from farm to school innovations to kiosk setups. Plus—we won’t lie—we loved collecting all the freebies! More than anything, it was fun meeting vendors, connecting with fellow attendees, and making new friends along the way.
The Closing General Session left us speechless in the best way. Jia Jiang shared his story about the “100 Days of Rejection” experiment and how learning to be okay with hearing “no” helped him grow in confidence and courage. His message about embracing rejection really stuck with us. It was such a powerful way to end the conference—reminding us that pushing past fear can lead to big things.
To top it all off, we got to let loose at the free LOCASH concert! We danced, sang along, and just had the best time enjoying the night with new friends and fellow members from across the country. It was such a fun and uplifting way to wrap up an incredible trip.
ANC 2025 gave us so much more than professional development—it gave us new ideas, new connections, and a renewed love for what we do every day. We’re already counting down to next year!
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