New Year, new ideas

We’re looking for your new ideas for 2013.

By 
Lindsey Ramsey, Contributing Editor

I don’t think it’s a stretch to say Steal This Idea is the signature feature of FoodService Director. Our hope is to present ideas from all the market segments on a variety of topics, in order to help you do your job better.

But we can’t do this alone, which is why I felt it was time for a call out for new ideas from some new faces. You can send your Steal This Idea submissions to me at lramsey@cspnet.com or submit them online here.

Make it a resolution to submit as many ideas as you can think of. We look forward to reading them.

Keywords: 
new concepts
By Lindsey Ramsey, Contributing Editor
View More Articles By Lindsey Ramsey

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We started inviting chefs and FSDs from other districts to come prepare lunch. Through featuring different chefs and chef-inspired meals, I’ve found the students have been looking forward to coming into the cafeteria. They are willing to try new things with crazy names, and to ask for their favorite outside items turned healthy.

Ideas and Innovation
Look to the next generation for focus groups
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I’ve created a high school “focus group” to see what future college students will want in terms of foodservice. This year, I called up two now-seniors from the last group to get 10 of their friends together. I also include a sophomore or two so that I always have a contact for next year. Tapas, grain bowls and late-night breakfast all originated from this group.

Ideas and Innovation
Expand meal service via community connections
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This summer, we teamed up with a church to deliver meals to three housing projects. We brought the meals to the church, and then the church recruited volunteers to deliver the meals to the children. We’ve been very impressed with this new model, and it shows great promise in getting meals to children who otherwise would not be able to leave their housing project.

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FSD Resources

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Industry research, analysis and information to help improve your operation.

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Borrow innovative ideas and time-saving tricks from your peers.

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FSD’s annual culinary event for noncommercial foodservice operations.