When students enter the lunch line, they can be overwhelmed with choices and aromas and make impulsive selections in the “heat of the moment.” This is referred to as hot-state decision making (1). While in a hot-state, students are more …
Marketing Food to Children
In 2005, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) published an influential report regarding the impact of advertising on children’s food choice and obesity[1]. In this report the IOM called upon industry and government to work together to promote healthier …
Smart Snacks: How One High School Continues to Contribute to the Bottom Line
The Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act (HHFKA) and the introduction of the Smart Snacks guidelines left many school districts wondering how they were going to support the meal program’s bottom line without offering the a la carte foods that teenaged …
Buy Local for Your School: Getting Started
Interested in buying local products for your cafeterias but unsure where to start? Try a few of these tips so get the ball rolling for a Farm to School program in your district.
What is your school district already buying …
The $75,000 Smile: Encouraging Customer Service in the School Lunchroom
In retail, customer service is paramount. Research has shown that in customer service, a smile is contagious, leads to a better experience for the customer, and can generate purchases. It also positively influences the employee experience. Let’s face it–everyone likes …
Local Food in Schools: How to Overcome the Barriers
If you’ve worked in school food service for any length of time you’ve probably been approached about incorporating locally grown foods into your menus. This movement, which continues to gain momentum, is commonly referred to as farm to school. Farm …
The Money Question: How is the School Cafeteria Funded?
Imagine running your own restaurant with a captive audience of customers who eat lunch each day. Now imagine providing these customers a complete, five component meal that consists of a meat entrée, fruit, vegetable, whole grain item and milk. Finally, …
The Consequences of Banning Chocolate Milk from School Cafeterias
For many children eating school lunch, chocolate milk is a standard choice. Since children generally don’t choose foods for health, but rather for taste, chocolate milk is usually the more preferred option. But what would happen if chocolate milk was …
The Conundrum of Competitive Foods: 3 Ways to Maintain Revenue and Promote Healthier Options
Food service directors have a tall order to fulfill: they must ensure the hundreds, or even thousands, of students they feed receive meals meeting specific nutrition standards, maintain participation in the school lunch program as well as promote healthier food …
Generating Buy-In From School Administration Officials
While most members of the school community are generally in favor of changes that can improve the school environment for students, one of the challenges that sometimes crops up when a Smarter Lunchroom Makeover is proposed is resistance from the …