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Menu Makeover

CATERED LUNCHES/OTHER CATERING

Home / Badge / Menu Makeover

Getting Started

If you haven’t done so already, it is ideal to gather a group of interested people (representing various parts of the school community; students, staff, parents, community members) to work together on earning this badge. In addition, make sure to engage the entire school community throughout your work, and provide opportunities for input. This will help increase buy-in from your school community.

 

Badge Benefits

Improving the menu for food and beverages offered and sold to students and staff (e.g., catered lunches, graduation dinners, and staff meetings) is a great way to support student health and learning.  These meals can also be used to celebrate food cultures, develop taste buds and learn new food skills.

Steps To Earn This Badge

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Step 1 - Explore Your School Community

Where is food offered and sold (e.g., cafeteria, catered lunches, staff meetings, celebrations)? What foods and beverages are commonly offered? What foods/beverages could be changed? Does your school use a particular vendor(s)? Are there other options? What is your food and beverage budget? What foods and beverages would students like to try?
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Step 2 - Make a Plan and Have Fun Completing It

Use the information found under Learn More, Helpful Tools and Activities and Badge Inspiration to create a plan that works for you and your goals. Involve all key partners and have fun completing your plan.
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Step 3 - Evaluate and Celebrate

What changes did you make to your school’s menu(s)? What worked well? Did you experience any challenges? How did you deal with them? Did you receive any feedback from students or parents? What would you do differently next time? Celebrate! You should be proud of your efforts to boost positive eating behaviours at your school!
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Step 4 - Keep it Alive

Are your menu changes sustainable? Is it possible to continue to provide input into the menus at your school? If you haven’t already, you may want to consider creating an ongoing healthy school committee. You may also want to consider developing school guidelines or policies for lasting change.

Badge Inspiration

  • Innovative and inspirational ideas submitted from schools across the province!
  • Hold a taste test to explore new menu items with students
  • Put announcements in the school newsletter to keep parents in the loop about potential positive changes to menus
  • Start a school salad bar with tastes and flavours from around the world
  • Have students prepare and serve flavoured water. For a fizzy twist, add a splash of sparkling water
  • Host a recipe contest that encourages students to submit a recipe (featuring their favourite vegetable or fruit) that they would like to see as a menu item.
  • Ask your school caterers about menu options, and the possibility of adding more vegetables and fruit.