Popular & Nutritional Menu Choices

Good participation starts with good food. Variety regularly surveys students, parents and staff regarding menu items and choices. Popular item’s menu availability are increased based on this feedback, provided balanced nutrition is not compromised. Food quality is also closely monitored on a daily basis and tested in Variety’s kitchen daily to insure the food tastes good, looks appealing and is portioned appropriately.

Point of Sale Technology

Electronic meal systems have proven to greatly increase participation. They provide many convenient payment and promotional options. They also increase speed of service and shorten service lines. This technology also greatly helps the school administration manage free and reduced programs often times increasing the participation in the free and reduced programs. Variety will help you select and install this technology.

Food Samplings

Variety regularly samples new items to students, administrators and parents. At school open houses Variety likes to provide samples to parents to encourage participation in the school food program as well as to demonstrate the quality and nutritional benefits the food program offers

Menu Promotions

Twice per month, Variety provides special on the menu lunch promotions for students. Several types of promotions are rotated throughout the year. Here’s a sampling of just a few.

• Lucky Tray Day – Look under your lunch tray and see if you win a prize.
• Birthday Club – Got a Birthday this Month? If you do enjoy a free birthday treat courtesy of Variety.
• Treat Day – Enjoy an Ice Cream or other lunch treat free as part of your meal

School Promotions/Participation

Variety can help to set up several different types of school activities to promote eating well, proper exercise and the school lunch program. The following are a few of our more popular ideas/events.

• Nutritional Essay Contests
  
• Balanced for Life Nutrition Contests
  
• PTA/Open House Participation
  
• Wellness Day Exercise Events

Nutrition/Menu Education

Educating parents and students about proper nutrition and how it relates to school learning is one of the
best ways to increase participation in a school lunch program. Variety approaches this in several ways.

• Monthly Menus – Each of our monthly menus offers nutritional information about the items being served as well as nutritional tips for parents/students to use at home. We strongly encourage the distribution of these menus to parents each month as well as prominent postings around the school.
• Online Nutrition Education/Tests – Variety can provide downloadable nutritional educational material and tests at our website. The information/tests can be used as part of a classroom curriculum focusing on nutrition and health
• Classes/Seminars – Variety has an on staff nutritionist we work with in overseeing our menu as well as providing nutritional training. She is available for your school to do food, nutrition and exercise training for student and parent groups.

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