Develop One to Three Goals for Your Child Nutrition Program

1. Marketing Essentials Child Nutrition Programs may use the following check-list as a brainstorming tool for developing and implementing successful and time-conscious marketing plans. This handout is a list of the most highly recommended marketing strategies. Child Nutrition Programs who wish to improve participation, build relationships with stakeholders, and become recognized as nutrition leaders in their communities should consider these strategies, which are listed in order of importance: • Develop One to Three Goals for Your Child Nutrition Program • Create a timeline and objectives for each goal, then update as needed • Meet with Principals and Superintendents • Share your goals and objectives with your supervisors • Allow them to be involved in cafeteria activities (delivery of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables to classrooms, “Principal’s Choice” menu items, nutrition education skits at assemblies) • Speak at the August Teacher / Staff Meeting • Allow teachers to recognize you as the Child Nutrition Director • Tell them about changes before they see them in the cafeteria • Showcase the Cafeterias on Parent Night • The classrooms are open…why shouldn’t the cafeteria be open too? • Give parents nutrition education materials, set-up an educational booth, display food items, lay out pictures of trays, explain Offer VS Serve principles • Educate and Encourage the Wellness Committee • Required by law to have a committee that reviews menus quarterly • Will have a voice in all arenas: students, parents, administration, school board, etc. • Create a Child Nutrition Page on the District’s Webpage • Statistically the most visited page on a district’s webpage • Include nutrition tips, pictures of trays and successes of the cafeteria (manager completed training, new floors, starting summer feeding, etc.) • Conduct Taste Tests, Focus Groups, and Customer Surveys • With students, parents, and teachers and then implement their practical suggestions • Provide Nutrition Education • As simple as a bulletin board to as involved as a school assembly, be creative! Get others involved: teachers, nurses, wellness committees, student and community organizations • Be Involved • Are you recognized as the Child Nutrition Director in your community? • Try something “new” like the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, Farm-to-School, Breakfast-in-the-Classroom, Breakfast Alternative, Afterschool Snacks, Healthier US School Challenge, Team Nutrition, Summer Feeding, School Gardens • Present at your school board meetings • Invite the media • Reach-out to Other Groups • Service oriented groups on and off campus may be able to provide funds, volunteers, or skills (computer, photography, art, etc.) • Talk to civic groups, quorum courts, and city councils (let them know what you do)