Mary Palen, administrator of foodservices at
Wilmington (Mass.) Public Schools, started student focus groups three years ago
when she took over the district's foodservice program. Palen, like many school
foodservice directors, says that gaining student feedback is paramount to
increasing participation and trust in the school foodservice program. She says
that, often, students ask for simple requests like a new barbecue sauce.
What is the best way to get student feedback about the district's foodservice program?
I have found having a student committee is the best way to gain students input into the program. Students speak to other students and can share their ideas as well as representing others.
How do you use student focus groups to gain feedback?
I use the feedback in two ways; I make changes based on their suggestions whenever possible. When it is not possible, I educate them so they understand why it is not possible. For example, maybe students ask why we do not serve sirloin steak on the menu. I ask them if they ever eat out to dinner, do they read the menu, and then I ask, "Have you ever seen a menu where a steak dinner only costs $2.00?" This makes sense and then they understand the limitations, due to cost, that often reflect in a school lunch program.
How often do your focus groups meet and how are the students selected to be in the group?
I meet formally
with my High School Lunch Advisory committee four times a year, after school
for an hour. I informally sit with all students from all grades during
lunch and ask general questions to gain feedback. The high school students
are often recommended by the high school principal. The support of the
administration is key for a successful program.
What
is one thing that you have changed because of information you learned from a
student focus group?
One thing I changed this year due to feedback was we added fresh fruit salad to the salad bar. We also changed the location of where we keep straws. We also changed the spaghetti sauce we were using. In the past we have changed the barbecue sauce we used and added calzones monthly. Sometimes it is a very simple request.
What is the best way to make students comfortable with sharing their opinions during a focus group?
I usually offer the students a snack, as they are hungry by the end of the day. Sometimes I have them try a new product and get feedback. I will ask the students questions like, did they try this or that or did they hear any feedback on that particular menu item, etc. Once they start discussing things it opens other discussions. I have found that the administration usually suggests students that are very well-rounded and tend to be extroverts rather than introverts.