Marketing & Communications
Marketing your school food program has always been important, but with a rapidly changing school food environment in emergency feeding situations, it is more important than ever!
Marketing can increase awareness about your program among students, parents, and the community. It can help bring in business that will increase reimbursement funds, directly affecting your bottom line. School food operators need to be able to communicate the latest information regarding meal distribution locations and times, menu choices, waiver statuses, and more. To reach the widest audience possible, it’s important to have a well rounded marketing plan.
Marketing & Communications
Marketing your school food program has always been important, but with a rapidly changing school food environment in emergency feeding situations, it is more important than ever!
Marketing can increase awareness about your program among students, parents, and the community. It can help bring in business that will increase reimbursement funds, directly affecting your bottom line. School food operators need to be able to communicate the latest information regarding meal distribution locations and times, menu choices, waiver statuses, and more. To reach the widest audience possible, it’s important to have a well rounded marketing plan.
Website Examples
It’s important for school meal programs to update information about their emergency feeding programs on their websites as well. Here are a few examples from our partner districts:
Alexandria City Public Schools
Provides a clear overview of meal distribution procedures and presents redirects for important information and resources
Fridley Public Schools
Details most recent updates, lists relevant waiver information, and outlines how free meal pick-up works
Minneapolis Public Schools
Easy to navigate sections on the meal box menus, locations for pick-up, farm to school and home wellness resources
Napa Valley Unified School District
Lists the procedures for food pick-up and highlights the free and reduced meal application
Website Examples
It’s important for school meal programs to update information about their emergency feeding programs on their websites as well. Here are a few examples from our partner districts:
Alexandria City Public Schools
Provides a clear overview of meal distribution procedures and presents redirects for important information and resources
Fridley Public Schools
Details most recent updates, lists relevant waiver information, and outlines how free meal pick-up works
Minneapolis Public Schools
Easy to navigate sections on the meal box menus, locations for pick-up, farm to school and home wellness resources
Napa Valley Unified School District
Lists the procedures for food pick-up and highlights the free and reduced meal application
Promoting Your Program
- Happy Monday! Our free meal pick-up for children 18 and younger is available to you on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 am to 10 am. Be sure to stop by for fuel and smiles.
- Today we’re serving chicken sandwiches. Remember: all students eat free! Stop by between 7-7:30 or 10-10:30 at our pick-up locations throughout the district.
- Save time making lunch this week and pick up 3 days worth of food at any of our district-wide locations. All students eat free!
Promoting F/R Applications
- Are you eligible for free or reduced-price school meals? Even though our district can provide free meals for all kids during this time in the pandemic, submitting your F/R application helps our program out by demonstrating the community’s needs. Learn more here: [link]
- Did you know applying for free and reduced meals financially helps not just our food service department, but the district as a whole? Apply today!
- Don’t forget to apply for F/R meals! Not only does the F/R program allow your child to access school meals, it comes with the other benefits like waived college application fees and more. Check your eligibility and apply here: [here]
- Did you know that families that qualify for free or reduced lunch are eligible for other benefits? These vary from each district, but can include discounted rates on things like college testing, computers, and home utilities. Be sure to fill out your F/R paperwork this year!
Announcement or Change in Your Program
- Head’s up, families: we will not have meal pick-up the week of Spring Break. We’ll be back the week after ready to serve up free meals to your kiddos!
- We’ve added a new menu item to our rotation: chicken parmesan! This was a student favorite before we transitioned to remote feeding, and we’re excited to bring it back—to-go style!
- We’re excited to introduce X, the newest member of our school food staff! Give him a wave next time you stop by for meal pick-up.
Flyers
In addition to posting relevant information about the school meal program on the website, districts can also utilize flyers and videos to inform their community about changes and upcoming deadlines or events. Here are some examples of marketing during the COVID-19 pandemic:
Flyers
In addition to posting relevant information about the school meal program on the website, districts can also utilize flyers and videos to inform their community about changes and upcoming deadlines or events. Here are some examples of marketing during the COVID-19 pandemic:
