…The FOOD!
It can seem overwhelmingly complicated to figure out why your school food service program isn’t thriving. When you look closely at a struggling operation, you will quickly begin to see all kinds of things that need to be “fixed”. Many will become apparent with a cursory review of the financial reports, but it may not be quite so easy to identify what is at the “root” of the problems?
Start looking at everything that has to do with FOOD.
Anytime there are problems in a food service operation, it’s always a good idea to look at anything and everything to do with FOOD.
Because… it really is all about the FOOD.
We all understand that budget is a really big deal but it’s so easy to get distracted from what the real focus should be…and that is the FOOD! First, plan your food choices carefully in the form of Cycle Menus. Then procure and manage the food carefully, because the quality of the ingredients matter. Next skillfully prepare and present the food in fresh and tasty ways. And then serve beautiful, delicious foods to your students with pride and a smile! But don’t keep it to yourself, proclaim your food-focused efforts to your community! Soon you will have a steady stream of happy customers who will make so many frustrations a thing of the past!
Focus on FOOD and Success will Follow!
Having a laser focus on everything to do with FOOD is guaranteed to set your program on the path to SUCCESS!
A Look at The Four Pillars of SUCCESS Can Help You Chart the Course
Pillar One: Serve More WHOLE FOODS if your SUCCESS goals are to:
- Improve the beauty and nutrition of your meals
- Increase participation
- Build pride
- Maximize commodity benefits
Pillar Two: Do More SCRATCH COOKING if your SUCCESS goals are to:
- Serve fresh, tasty, healthier meals
- Increase participation
- Build staff confidence
- Build staff competence
Pillar Three: Start a FARM TO SCHOOL program if your SUCCESS goals are to:
- Learn how to buy local foods
- Support your local farmers
- Serve the freshest, highest quality foods
- Increase program participation
- Increase staff’s pride in their work
Pillar Four: Do some simple FOOD related MARKETING if your SUCCESS goals are to:
- to garner confidence and respect from stakeholders
- to positively promote your program and district
- to increase program participation
Do all of the above to ensure SUCCESS in Schools Food Service!
If any to this has resonated with you, I’d love to talk to you at your convenience and answer your questions!