“Marketing your Child Nutrition Program” MS Department of Education Office of Child Nutrition Presented by: April D. Catchings Nutrition Education, Director

Why should parent’s and students eat school meals? New Administrator Orientation©MDE - Office of Child Nutrition 2

MARKETING is the process of determining the needs and wants of your “consumers” and being able to deliver products that satisfy those needs and wants. What is Marketing? New Administrator Orientation©MDE - Office of Child Nutrition 3

1.Product: how can I deliver top quality school food and meet the needs of pupils and parents? 2. Price: what is a competitive price? How can I show that our meals are good value? 3. Place: how can I make the place where we sell our meals more enticing? How do I draw pupils’ attention to our sales point? 4. Promotion: how can I create awareness of our meals? How do I make sure I’m sending out the right messages in the right ways? Basic Principles Marketing: New Administrator Orientation©MDE - Office of Child Nutrition 4

1.It gets the word out about school meals. 2. Helps increase participation. 3. Helps improve your school’s reputation for providing excellent service. Why is Marketing Important: New Administrator Orientation©MDE - Office of Child Nutrition 5

1. Great customer service. 2. Have a Marketing Plan. 3. Attractive Cafeteria. 4. Attractive Lunch Trays/Foodservice Line. 5. Parent and Student involvement. 6. GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE. HOW to Market a Successful CNP…. “THE EASY WAY”! New Administrator Orientation©MDE - Office of Child Nutrition 6

First impressions are lasting impressions: o Good lighting o Comfortable tables and chairs o Comfortable room temperature o Use bright colors on the walls. o Decorate with colorful window clings, o posters, murals, seasonal displays, o plants etc. o Avoid clutter and dirty tables Cafeteria Atmosphere New Administrator Orientation©MDE - Office of Child Nutrition7

The way food is presented affects its acceptance or rejection by the customer. Creative Garnishing. Offer attractive fruits and vegetables on your serving line. Hot foods hot, cold foods cold. Offer a variety of healthy options. Attractively Display and Garnish Foods: New Administrator Orientation©MDE - Office of Child Nutrition 8

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Our job IS Customer Service… New Administrator Orientation©MDE - Office of Child Nutrition 12 Make the connection: Smile Use a friendly tone Make them feel welcome Give students your full attention Call students by their name Ask students how their day is going Let them know you care THANK THEM

Our job is NOT Customer DIS-Service New Administrator Orientation©MDE - Office of Child Nutrition 13 Avoid: – BAD ATTITUDES – Make up your mind – You’re holding up the line – Hurry up – I don’t know – I don’t care – I don’t like you – Don’t come back – Prejudice

Organize focus groups to help promote school lunch and breakfast.  Students  Parents  Faculty  Community Leaders Consumer Involvement New Administrator Orientation©MDE - Office of Child Nutrition 14

1. Understand your customers 2. Set Long Term Goals 3. Involve research and Student surveys 4. Promote new products in advance (taste testing) 5. Piggy-back on other events 6. Include activities with auxiliary groups. 7. Adopt logos, color schemes, slogans on printed materials. How to develop a “Marketing Plan” New Administrator Orientation©MDE - Office of Child Nutrition 15

New Administrator Orientation©MDE - Office of Child Nutrition 16 “Pleasure in your job puts PERFECTION in your work” ~Aristotle