It’s All in the Details
It’s All in the Details
STANDARDIZING SAMPLES Simple Etiquette
Upon completion of testing, share feedback with the manufacturer.
The manufacturer role is crucial to menu innovation.
Manufacturers want ample information, positive or negative. Giving critical feedback can be instrumental for the manufacturer. Feedback allows them the opportunity to reformulate the product, packaging, or nutrient information to meet the needs of school programs. Schools should save all product evaluations. Evaluations can be used for the procurement process and audits.
Schools want to sample the latest products and hear about modern menu ideas. Information and product concepts are key to schools testing samples provided. Provide all pertinent materials during the product introduction meeting. Schools need to know the approximate bid price before accepting a sample. Agree on a timeline for product testing and feedback. To assure adequate feedback, provide a digital evaluation form if needed. Do not provide additional samples unless they are approved by the school.
Consultant KATIE ROGERS, MS, RD
When requesting a sample, schools
Upon USDAextending school meal programwaivers for the 2021-22 school year, manufacturers and school nutrition professionals must collaborate to find menu items that are available and meet the needs of school nutrition programs . K12 product shortages are expected to continue well into 2022. In addition, many manufacturers are reducing the number of items that will be available to schools.
should ask for the following information:
Sample Feedback Format
12
Item Product Info Packaging
Sandwich looks appealing Appearance
Taste
Approved?
Product Sample Delivery Requirements: • Sample in original box or packaged with
1 meat/1 grain Turkey Sausage
Mini Sausage Biscuit Sandwich IW Company Name
Mylar wrapper No graphics Looks very plain Hard to open Mylar wrapper Bright kid friendly graphics Easy to open
Flaky biscuit, sweet taste; Sausage is moist & flavorful Excellent
manufacturer number and cooking instructions • Product formulation statements (PFS), Child • Nutrition (CN) labels and/or nutrient labels • Bid price • Where or when will the product is available
As schools and industry members work together to find innovative menu items, product samples may be requested by schools. Product sample etiquette is rarely discussed but is imperative for the success of both parties.
YES
Waffle looks soggy and undercooked; Chicken breading flaking away from chicken; Not appealing Biscuit golden brown Sausage covers biscuit Appetizing
5861 $.65
1 meat/1.5 grain Chicken contains TVP-B56M $.63
Breaded Chicken on Waffle Sandwich IW Company Name
Waffle bland Chicken has acidic taste
NO
Schools should document the following information
“I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.” The wise words of Mother Teresa remind us that schools and industry are stronger when working together.
when evaluating sample products:
Before requesting samples, schools should have a standard operating procedure for testing,evaluating and providing feedback to the manufacturer. Schools should consider purchasing the sample product through their distributor when possible. Furthermore, schools should not accept a sample they don’t intend to test.
Evaluation Documentation: • List product name, manufacturer, code number and date
Katie Rogers, MS, RD
ROGERS K12 CONSULTING, AN EXTENSION OF YOUR FOODSERVICE TEAM
• Evaluate packaging, appearance, taste, cost, nutrient value and meal pattern contribution (use standardized form) • Use descriptive words when evaluating: moist, dry, flakey. . .
Upon serving as a school foodservice administrator for 17 years, Katie saw a need for consulting services in the school nutrition community. Ready to share learned and earned knowledge, Rogers K12 Consulting was created in 2014. Rogers enjoys assisting schools with procurement processes, cooperative purchasing and maximizing USDA commodity foods in school meal programs. Rogers K12 is the current Administrator for the West Indianapolis, IN Cooperative.
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