- Author: Shelby MacNab
Building Smarter Lunchrooms
One of the concepts from the Smarter Lunchrooms Movement has to do with branding and promoting cafeteria meals to increase participation and the consumption of healthy foods. Fresno Unified launched a new soft taco at Computech earlier this week. With just a few promotional signs and flyers, the tacos were a hit!
Join the Movement
The total cost to promote the new taco was just over $11. Low-cost promotions can help school food service departments encourage students to try new things.
UC CalFresh can provide technical assistance to help start a Smarter Lunchrooms movement in your cafeteria! If you'd like to join the Smarter Lunchrooms Movement in Fresno County, email Shelby MacNab at smacnab@ucanr.edu to get started.
- Author: Shelby MacNab
- Author: Lynnette Brewer
Fresno Welcomes USDA Undersecretary Kevin Concannon
Fresno Unified is the largest school district in California to apply for the community eligibility provision. As the videos below demonstrate, the district is thrilled to offer meals to all students!
Smarter Lunchrooms Make a Big Impact at Computech Middle School
UC CalFresh has collaborated with FUSD on Smarter Lunchrooms efforts in the district, and was invited to work at Computech Middle School to make a few additions to the cafeteria to promote healthy foods.
Computech has a large cafeteria with a lot of room to feature student work, add items to the serving line, and promote healthy foods. The flow of meal service is very efficient, and the Noon Time Assistants at the school already do a fantastic job of setting up the lunch trays for meal service each day. After identifying many strengths at the site, our goal was to enhance and build on those strengths. Working together we made a huge impact!
Below are some of the photos of the additions made to the cafeteria, along with the positive feedback we have already received from staff and students!
"The bowls look real nice, real fancy." -student, upon seeing tablecloths and clear fruit bowls replacing the tubs used.
"It looks really nice." -student, remarking on the changes made in the cafeteria.
"It makes me feel like I want to be in here." -Noon Time Assistant, commenting on the changes to the teachers' lunchroom
Future Collaborations Planned
UC CalFresh had a great time working at Computech, and looks forward to collaborating with FUSD Food Service staff at additional school sites early next year!
If you'd like to be a part of the Smarter Lunchrooms Movement in Fresno County, email Shelby MacNab at smacnab@ucanr.edu to get started.