Question:
How can I promote meal plans via social media and apps?
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Answer:
Many forward-thinking districts are tweeting out their menus or using Twitter and Instagram for food photos. Using social media effectively really is about getting students engaged to take pictures and share it with their peers.
Arizona’s Chandler Unified School District, a large suburban district outside of Phoenix, is making use of an app to help market new meals, promote entrees and have real-time competitions in its cafeterias.
In a recent example, students were asked, “Who ate the most broccoli off the salad bar?” Staff members walked around the salad bar with an iPad to see what students were eating.
It’s not an exact science, but the results were projected in the cafeteria so everyone could see them in real time. Sixty-five percent of the girls took broccoli compared to 63 percent of the boys, and it was a great way to generate enthusiasm about choosing fruits and vegetables during the meal.
-Dayle Hayes
Owner
Nutrition for the Future