End of the Year Cheer!

Keep Em’ Operating

Every school year has its challenges, but lately, it feels like the world is really keeping us on our toes. Winter break is on the horizon, but before the building clears out for break, check out these doable ways to give back from the lunchroom. Even when short-staffed, coming together as a cafeteria team to have a positive impact can build camaraderie. Challenge your foodservice team to bring ideas on ways they can give back to the students, teachers or nearby community. You might be surprised, your team probably already has the answers! Here are a few ideas to get the conversation going: Organize a Can Drive Encourage students to bring in canned foods to the lunchroom to benefit a local food bank. The class that brings in the most cans wins a nacho bar or warm cookies delivered to their classroom. Teacher Appreciation Team up with classroom parents and students to create teachers’ favorite treats as a simple ‘Thank You!’ to the education staff. Students will enjoy spending time in the kitchen and teachers will love a handmade holiday gift. Create a Sharing Table We all know that food waste is a big issue in our country. Encourage sharing and reduce

waste by testing out a sharing table for the month. Outline safety guidelines and set up a table and a tub with ice (to keep cold items

Even when short-staffed, coming together as a cafeteria team to have a positive impact can build camaraderie. “

cool) so that students can drop off unopened food they’d like to share with their peers. To kick-off the table, load it up with fresh fruit on the first day (apples work great) and let anyone take their pick. Leftover items can be collected and donated at the end of the week. Don’t be afraid to ask a parent for help transporting the food to a food bank.

Host a Deep Clean Coordinate a lunchroom cleaning party to give back to the students. Ask families to bring a tool box for any small repairs and you provide the cleaning supplies and breakfast. Gingerbread Fundraiser Have your foodservice team assemble gingerbread kits as a team building activity. Then, offer the kits to families at school, encouraging them to make a small donation to a local food bank in return. Not every family will be able to afford a donation, but you will be providing them with a little holiday cheer in the form of a fun family activity. Make a gingerbread sign-up ahead of time, so you know exactly how many to make. After they make their houses, ask participants to post a picture and tag the school on social media for extra clout.

LITTLE ACTS Big Impact! Ready Foods Annelise McAuliffe Soares

Annelise McAuliffe Soares

Marketing Manager at Ready Foods in Denver, Colorado

Graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Annelise has spent her career making sure food sounds appetizing on paper, looks good in pictures and tastes amazing when you order it. Her day-to-day consists of working at Ready Foods to connect food service operators with ready-to-use kitchen solutions (Yes, we make some delicious beans!) that are easy to incorporate into a kitchen flow and bring great flavor to menu items. Her favorite hot lunch in elementary school was always nacho day.