LUNCHROOM ATMOSPHERE

Attractive, healthful food posters are displayed in dining and service areas.

"Choose colorful, neat images and words that encourage students to try, select, and enjoy the healthy food options that make up a reimbursable meal." 

Tips: 

• Hang appealing, age-appropriate signage in high-traffic areas where students can read them from 5+ feet away
• Use paint-safe materials to hang posters. (command strips)
• SLM Poster Kit can be picked up from SLM coordinator
• Free school posters can be ordered online at USDA Team Nutrition.

A menu board with today's featured meal options with creative names is readable from 5 feet away. 

"The menu board is the school lunch "cover."A stylish, neat, colorful, appealing menu board communicates that the food is also appealing."

Suggested Materials: 

• Meal-of-the-Day Sign
• Frame or board
• Dry Erase Markers

There is a clear traffic pattern. Signs, floor decals, or rope lines are used.

"An orderly traffic pattern is an important quality of a stress-free lunchroom and highlight that the cafeteria is a safe, controlled environment."

Suggested Materials:

• Use Signs, floor decals or rope lines to make it crystal clear where to enter and exit the lines. 
• Smarter Lunchrooms Kit: Fruit and Veggies foot decals
• Damage-Free Hanging strips or hooks

* May require support from janitorial/maintenance staff. 

Lunchroom is branded and decorated in a way that reflects the student body.

"Make your lunchroom a place where students want to be!

Branding the lunch room to reflect the student body makes students feel like it's their space and fosters a sense of community within the school."

Tips:

• Use school colors on signage. 
• Hang student artwork
• Give bulletin board space to the student council or other school groups.
• Post school awards and recognitions.