January 2015 Smarter Lunchrooms 

A smarter lunchroom is one that nudges kids towards nutritious foods. Over 30 million children are fed by the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). We believe that this program is an opportunity for kids to select and consume a balance diet. The Smarter Lunchroom applies research-based principles that lead children to make healthy choices when provided with the full spectrum of choice.

Goals: increasing the number of Students that select Fruit

Employ signs and verbal prompts to draw attention to fruit and encourage students to take some

Fruit is often overlooked because it is hard to see and reach, hidden under a sneeze shield in a drab metal bin. Move the fruit into the spotlight! Increasing students' exposure to fruit (especially in traffic-jam areas like near the register) increases their likelihood of seeing it, which increases their chances of taking it, and then of eating it. Additionally, bright and contrasting colors make food look more appetizing and the appearance of variety prompts diners to eat moreabout Employ signs and verbal prompts to draw attention to fruit and encourage students to take some

Display the Whole Fruit

Fruit is often overlooked because it is hard to see and reach, hidden under a sneeze shield in a drab metal bin. Move the fruit into the spotlight! Increasing students' exposure to fruit (especially in traffic-jam areas like near the register) increases their likelihood of seeing it, which increases their chances of taking it, and then of eating it. Additionally, bright and contrasting colors make food look more appetizing and the appearance of variety prompts diners to eat more.

 Students have a set menu to choose from that has no changes through out the school year

Before: milk cooler opened against the traffic, making it hard to open the door and stop everyone behind you and choose milk for your beverage.

Increasing the number of Students that select Targeted Entrée

Display the creative/descriptive age-targeted names on a poster or menu board outside the cafeteria

Healthy targeted entrées (especially new recipes) are often overlooked because they are hard to see, hidden behind a serving counter.  They are also downplayed with drab, boring names like “bean burrito” or “turkey.”  Students trust known commodities like burgers and pizza; they need a prompt to try something new and different.  Jazz it up!  Move targeted entrées into the spotlight!about Display the creative/descriptive age-targeted names on a poster or menu board outside the cafeteria

Give targeted entrées creative/descriptive age-targeted names and display the names on cards next to or with the targeted entrées on the serving line.

Healthy targeted entrées (especially new recipes) are often overlooked because they are hard to see, hidden behind a serving counter.  They are also downplayed with drab, boring names like “bean burrito” or “turkey.”  Students trust known commodities like burgers and pizza; they need a prompt to try something new and different.  Jazz it up!  Move targeted entrées into the spotlight!

• about Give targeted entrées creative/descriptive age-targeted names and display the names on cards next to or with the targeted entrées on the serving line.

Make the entrée with the greatest nutrient density the first or most prominent in line.

Convenience counts! Hungry students are more likely to order the first item they see.  Use this to give healthy “target entrees” an advantage.

Before: Milk coolers had lots of chocolate milk and very little white white to choose from

Juice machine was placed before the milk cooler which made students more likely to grab a juice than a milk

After: Posters and point of decision signs and reminders were hung by all the lines. This made the cafeteria brighter and reminded students to choose healthier options, and gave information about why the healthy choice is better for them.

Students re-named the items on the salad bar and we created window clings to show case the fun new re-designed names.

Increasing the number of Students that select Vegetables

Create a SNAC (Student Nutrition Action Committee) of students responsible for the naming of and creating signage for veggies

The odds are, a group of motivated students is savvier to what appeals to their peers than any adult is! Engage the student talent in your school to help make lunchroom changes that truly appeal to young people - and get free help to maintain your changes

• about Create a SNAC (Student Nutrition Action Committee) of students responsible for the naming of and creating signage for veggies

Display the creative/descriptive age-targeted names on a poster or menu board outside the cafeteria

Vegetables are often overlooked because they are hard to see and reach, hidden behind a serving counter or under a sneeze shield. They are also downplayed with drab, boring names like "beans" or "corn". Jazz it up! Move vegetables into the spotlight! Increasing students' taste expectations increases their likelihood of noticing and taking vegetables, and then of eating them. Additionally, signs grab students' attention and direct it to the vegetable options

• about Display the creative/descriptive age-targeted names on a poster or menu board outside the cafeteria

Give Vegetables Creative Names

Vegetables are often overlooked because they are hard to see and reach, hidden behind a serving counter or under a sneeze shield. They are also downplayed with drab, boring names like "beans" or "corn". Jazz it up! Move vegetables into the spotlight! Increasing students' taste expectations increases their likelihood of noticing and taking vegetables, and then of eating them. Additionally, signs grab students' attention and direct it to the vegetable options.

Point of decision signs made it clear to students to choose fruit or that they can take a fruit to go.

 Lamps and lighting help to "spotlight"special products that deserve more attention

Students created themes for the menu board including super heroes, Disney princesses and other pop culture references:

Brand new milk coolers and placement helped students pick more milk as their beverage of choice.

http://smarterlunchrooms.org/get_involved