Back-to-School Preparation: Setting Up for a Successful Meal Program Launch

As summer draws to a close, school food service professionals face the important task of preparing their kitchen spaces for the new school year. Ensuring all signage is in place and equipment is functioning properly is essential for starting your meal program off on the right foot.

We at School Food and Wellness Group know how difficult it can be to know where to begin, so we have prepared a ‘go-to guide’ for setting up a successful kitchen and operation, so meal program teams are prepared to launch on the first day of school!

Below you will find key highlights from our resources, and make sure to download the complete guide for more details!

Food Safety

Maintaining high standards of food safety is non-negotiable. Here are key some steps you can take to ensure a food-safe environment:

Calibrate your thermometers and log thermometer calibration activity!
Ensure equipment is operational
Ensure all food service staff have fulfilled their yearly health policy training
Post equipment and dry storage temperature logs
Ensure each hand sink has towels, soap, a warm water hand washing sign, and check the employee restroom for the same

Compliance Tasks

Staying compliant with regulations is essential for smooth operations:

Update all food service-related policies and procedures
Arrange and conduct your wellness committee meeting(s)
Verify that all non-food service staff with food service duties have completed both civil rights and role specific training

Organizational Efficiency

Streamlined operations can significantly enhance service delivery:

Equip each cashier with a roster and pen
Ensure POS system syncs with your student information system
Update and organize the allergy management binder/documents
Coordinate with the vendor or FSMC to finalize details regarding food service logistics, mealtimes, and delivery schedules

Effective Signage

Clear and informative signage is crucial for communication and compliance:

Place an And Justice for All poster at the point of sale
Display the current monthly and daily menu
Update and post meal prices
Put up the SERVE or OVS signage
Display the latest health inspection report and ServSafe certification(s)

Use this checklist as your guide to ensure your food service operations are well prepared for the upcoming school year. A well-organized, compliant, and safety-focused approach will set the stage for a successful year. While this checklist covers essential tips to maintain compliance, there's much more to running a successful meal program. Effective waste management and proper promotion to parents and students are also crucial for your program's success.

Managing Waste

Schools often order meals for every enrolled student, but absences and unpopular meals can lead to waste and budget hits. To manage waste effectively, survey students weekly for menu feedback, have teachers take accurate lunch counts during attendance, set up share tables for unwanted items, keep a stock of shelf-stable or frozen meals for unexpected spikes, and use leftovers within the same week while documenting them accurately to maintain compliance. By implementing proactive approaches to managing waste, you can control your budget while ensuring no food goes to waste!

Promoting Your Program

Promoting the school meal program involves engaging parents and students through regular communication and highlighting benefits. School lunch directors can send newsletters, use social media for updates, photos, and student testimonials, and host menu tastings to understand student preferences and educate about nutrition. Creating an inviting cafeteria and organizing themed lunch days can enhance the dining experience. If you don’t already have one, develop a plan to publicize all the great work you are doing, ensuring the program is well-supported and appreciated by the school community.

Preparation is key to a successful school year, and starting with a strong foundation will help ensure that your food service operations run smoothly. Let's make this school year the best yet!

Click HERE to download our printable checklist to hang in your kitchen!