SPECIAL INITIATIVES THAT ENHANCE EFFICIENCY AND SUPPORT STUDENT EXPERIENCE
IMPROVING MEAL PARTICIPATION AND ACCESS
Expanding access to school meals is a key priority for many districts. Through innovative outreach efforts, expanded meal programs, and student-centered initiatives, school nutrition professionals are making a way for more students to have reliable access to healthy, nutritious meals every day. students of her alma mater. She is determined to get students more interested in eating school meals. Each morning, Ms. Torres greets students at breakfast, checking in with them to ensure they start their day on a positive note. She was also able to increase lunch participation from a serving line that used to serve less than 100 students per day to over 250 lunches daily.” - Thao Vo, Galena Park ISD, TX “Our manager at North Shore Senior High, Ms. Torres, considers it a privilege that she now gets to serve the “Dodge County Primary students decorate a lunch bag with positive messages and vibrant artwork on both the front and back. The decorated lunch bags serve as a special gift for the seniors, offering them a meaningful gesture of support as they approach a major milestone in their lives. The lunch bags are filled with lunch from the Dodge County School Nutrition Program. It’s a wonderful way for the whole school community to come together.” - Alisha Cheek, Dodge County Schools, Georgia “Our Summer Grab-N-Go program is a vital resource for our rural community, ensuring that no child goes without a meal when school is out. Behind the scenes, dedicated food service team members, high school students, and community volunteers prepare and distribute the meals. The District Social Worker creates weekly activities and shares resources to engage with families in meaningful ways. One week, children received sidewalk chalk and during the July 4th holiday, families received fresh corn on the cob and a whole watermelon. This program strengthens the bond between the school and the community. Through this initiative, BHASD is feeding students and nurturing a stronger, more connected community.” - Nicole DelGuerico, Brandywine Heights Area SD, Pennsylvania
Creating an enjoyable and efficient dining experience is crucial for student satisfaction and participation. School nutrition teams are utilizing technology, creative service models, and student engagement strategies to improve kitchen operations that make eating breakfast and lunch at school more enjoyable. These special initiatives highlight how school nutrition heroes are making meaningful connections between students, families, and staff. “To enhance student engagement, we implemented Happy or Not Kiosks in our cafeterias. Students can quickly provide instant feedback by selecting a face that reflects their meal service or dining experience, while high school students have the added ability to leave written feedback. By monitoring daily trends, we’ve been able to make data-driven menu adjustments, improve service, and respond to student concerns in real-time. This initiative has not only increased meal participation but has also empowered students by giving them a voice in shaping their school meals.” - MaRendia Garner, Greensville County Public Schools, VA “This year we have focused on the workflow and getting the students fed and seated faster so that they have more time to eat. We have come up with new recipes and completed taste tests to get students’ feedback, and it has increased our daily meals served. At the high school, we served homemade gumbo with red beans and rice, and it was a hit! For Dr. Seuss’ week, we are doing a different lunch based on book themes with decorations all over the cafeteria, including celebrating his birthday by serving cake.” - Veronica Terry, Lamar School District, Arkansas “The nutrition team at La Porte ISD takes pride in our efforts to engage with parents and caretakers regarding their children’s food restrictions. We reach out to parents to gain a full understanding of what the child’s situation is and how we can accommodate restrictions while maximizing the food items available to them. This can only happen when purposeful, individualized efforts are made to build relationships with parents and engage them in their child’s school meals. The effort pays dividends for the student.” - Ralph Wilkins, La Porte ISD, Texas
These stories exemplify the dedication and innovation of school nutrition professionals who are transforming school meal programs nationwide. Through their commitment, students are receiving nutritious meals and gaining valuable knowledge and experiences that promote lifelong healthy eating habits. Their passion and creativity continue to elevate school meal programs, proving that food service is about much more than just serving meals – it’s about making a lasting impact on students and communities. For school nutrition professionals looking for additional training, best practices, and resources to further enhance their programs, the Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN) offers a wide range of free, research-based tools and professional development opportunities. Visit theicn.org to explore resources designed to support the important work of school nutrition professionals nationwide.
ICN Website
Lakyre’a Janae Le, MS, CHES | Education and Training Specialist, Institute of Child Nutrition Lakyre’a Janae Le, an Education and Training Specialist at the Institute of Child Nutrition, has nearly 10 years of experience in project management, including developing, evaluating, and implementing nutrition and wellness programs. Her work at ICN focuses on meeting the needs of child nutrition operators through task forces, work groups, and resource development. She also moderates one of ICN’s webinar platforms aimed to highlight effective strategies implemented by school nutrition professionals across the nation on various topics in school nutrition. Passionate about the nutritional and physical health of all children, she has worked to implement self-developed health and wellness programs for children and adults primarily in rural school communities across the Mississippi Delta. Lakyre’a holds a BS in Exercise Science, with a focus in Clinical Exercise Physiology, a MS in Public Health, and is a Certified Health Education Specialist.
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