“Marketing Healthy Meal Choices to Students” Wednesday, September 18, 2019 New Mexico PED Back to School Conference Presenters: Betsy Cull Food Service Director, Santa Fe Public Schools Student Nutrition Department Anna Farrier, Jane Stacey, & Lily Sheridan Cooking with Kids, Inc.

Marketing Matters

What Does Marketing Look Like For Us? Marketing Matters What Does Marketing Look Like For Us? Whatever you do, make sure you tell the story. Even the smallest changes can make a difference! Signage in the lunchroom and school Morning announcements Messaging on school menus Social media posts Articles in school newsletters or local newspaper Taste-testing new menu items Lunchroom promotions of menu items Student voting Training for food service staff

It’s all about creating positive experiences.

Challenges Challenge #1: Time & Energy Challenge #2: Money Start small: Do a promotion with an item that’s already on the menu. Plan one activity and go from there. Play to your strengths. Challenge #1: Time & Energy Challenge #2: Money Taste tests aren’t that expensive. Talk to the PTO about providing some funds. Sometimes local grocery stores or farmers will donate. Challenge #3: Perception of School Meals Focus on what’s working. Positive experiences build on each other. Even the smallest changes can make a difference!

Sometimes all it takes is a colorful bowl and a friendly smile.

Lunchroom Promotions Fruit & Vegetable Tastings “Taste a Rainbow” Farmers’ Market Stands Special Visitors in the Lunchroom

Lunchroom Promotions “Taste a Rainbow”

Lunchroom Promotions “Taste a Rainbow”

Lunchroom Promotions

Farmers’ Market Stands Lunchroom Promotions Farmers’ Market Stands

Farmers’ Market Stands Lunchroom Promotions Farmers’ Market Stands Kids “planted” what they tasted on the farm wall

Lunchroom Promotions

Lunchroom Promotions

Finding Your Connections Student Council School Nurse or Principal PE, Art, or Classroom Teachers PTA/PTO or other family volunteers County Extension (ICAN) DOH Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities High school culinary students 4-H participants Community gardeners or farmers Prospective Partners Print or online school lunch menus Social media School website PTA or school newsletters Local newspaper Talk to principals to identify key partners Outreach Methods

Engaging Key Players Involve cafeteria staff & students. Ask for feedback. Focus on creating positive experiences.

Engaging Cafeteria Staff Include cafeteria staff from the start. Ask for their ideas. Provide training for new menu items. Recognize & honor staff for their extra efforts. Getting Started: Do a taste-test with cafeteria staff. Plan a 10-minute training about a new menu item (make sure it’s hands-on!)

Engaging Cafeteria Staff Recognition matters.

Engaging Students Getting Started: Fun taste-testing in the lunchroom Lunchroom voting Invite older grades to make posters for an upcoming event Talk to the student council Getting Started: Try a taste test with one classroom or grade level. Share students’ feedback to generate excitement.

Engaging Students

Engaging Students

Tasting: Sunset Salsa

Resources Available at cookingwithkids. org AND webnew. ped. state. nm Resources Available at cookingwithkids.org AND webnew.ped.state.nm.us/bureaus/student-success-wellness/