Tips from Our Child Nutrition Operations Consultant: Promoting Your School Meal Program

In our white paper, “The 5 P’s of Promoting Your School Meal Program,” Child Nutrition Operations Consultant Cynthia Sevier, SNS, examines how you can promote your child nutrition program, and shares real-life experiences in school districts across the country. “The 5 P’s” are Product, Placement, Promotion, Price and People. Here is an excerpt of the white paper illustrating how you can implement “Promotion” in your program:

Social media is a vast, untapped resource for school nutrition programs and is a direct connection between our students and parents. It takes time and commitment but can be a vehicle to reach students and parents with information about the program. Check with your school board policies concerning the use of social media before beginning.

Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and blogs are being used by students and parents, and can be very valuable in telling your story. Perception doesn’t always equal reality and this becomes apparent with some of the postings. By sharing your story, you are communicating who you are and what you are capable of doing. You are earning your customers attention rather than “buying” it. Why not take the opportunity to answer questions and educate our stakeholders?

Information that is posted must be current and relevant to create and keep interest.

To read more about marketing your school meal program, download your free copy of “The 5 P’s of Promoting Your School Meal Program.”