Tips for Lunchroom Monitors

Tips for Adult Lunch Monitors

1. Review the Guiding Principles and the Practical Guide: Lunchtime Food Allies.

2. Introduce yourself when you meet the class for the first time or when new students join the class. 

3. Be food safe

• Role model proper handwashing and have students wash their hands before and after eating. 

4. Be aware of students with food allergies

• Check with the school administrator or classroom teacher to determine which students in the class have an allergy. 
• Find out ahead of time from a teacher/principal what the school’s allergy/anaphylaxis policy is and what to do if a child has a reaction. 
• Do not allow sharing of foods.

5. Keep mealtimes calm and pleasant

• Ask children to remain seated at their desks while eating and do not let them run around. 
• Make the mealtime enjoyable. Talk with students about fun topics that kids enjoy.
• Help students open containers if needed.

6. Do not comment on student lunches

• Respect students’ decisions. 
• It’s the student’s role to decide how much and if they eat the food that has been provided for them.
• Trust students to know when they are hungry and when they are full. 
• Let them eat what they want from their lunch in any order.