In Grand Rapids Public Schools in Grand Rapids, Michigan, assistant food service director Amy Klinkoski says that simple steps such as improving aesthetics, prop placement, and placement of fruit are easy ways to increase the consumption of fruits in the lunchroom. Other strategies, such as moving food to more reachable places, providing taste testing, even placing the same fruit in two different spots on the serving line have all had positive outcomes for Grand Rapids Public Schools. At first Amy was skeptical of these tactics, and how well they would work. However, fruit and vegetable consumption has been increasing ever since these simple improvements were implemented.
More from this Michigan Team Nutrition Smarter Lunchroom Moves Success Story Compendium:
- Smarter, Brighter, and More Inviting Salad Bars
- Impact of Smarter Lunchroom Coaches
- Partnerships Create Culture of Health
- Partner to Power Smarter Lunchrooms
- School Gardens Engage Students
- Smarter Lunchroom Student Teams
- Student Input Fuels Participation
Contributor
Nicholas Drzal, RD, MPH, Michigan Department of Education
For more information, contact Amy Klinkoski, Assistant Food Service Director, Grand Rapids Public Schools, Grand Rapids, MI