Case Studies

Case Study 1: More Fruit, Please!

Smarter Lunchroom Aim: To increase the consumption of whole fruits in the lunchroom

School 1 is concerned about the health of its students. The students are not choosing fruits and vegetables to eat as part of their lunch in the cafeteria. Parents and lunchroom directors alike would like students in School 1 to increase their fruit consumption.

Current School 1 Lunchroom: Currently, fruits are kept in a metal bin in the lunchline placed next to a bin of packaged snacks (such as chips, rice crispy treats, pretzels).

Smarter Lunchroom Initiative:

Purchase a more attractive fruit basket to be displayed prominently in the lunch line away from the more tempting, less-healthy snacks

Cost: Low

Effort: Low

Case Study 2: Long Lunch Lines, Little Time

Smarter Lunchroom Aim: To increase consumption of healthy food options in the lunchroom

The lunch period for School 2 is 20 minutes long. Students must join the lunch line immediately in order to have enough time to eat. Lunch staff noticed that in order to have more time to socialize with friends, students are substituting packaged snacks such as chips, cookies, and ice cream from the shorter snack line for lunch, in order to avoid the long line for hot lunch. Some students are even skipping lunch altogether.

Current School 2 Lunchroom: Packaged snacks are sold on a line separate from the hot lunch line, which sells hot entrees and sides, milk, and fruit.

Smarter Lunchroom Initiatives:

• Move some grab-and-go items such as fruit and milk to the snack counter. Keep milk in a cooler or ice-filled tray next to the snack line, so that milk is maintained at the appropriate temperature.
• Prepackage healthy items into a grab-and-go full-meal, in order to minimize the wait time on the meal line and increase consumption of healthy options. For example, package a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on whole wheat bread with carrot sticks, or package a vegetable and lean meat sandwich on whole wheat bread with an orange.

Cost: Low

Effort: Low

Case Study 3: I’m so hungry!

Smarter Lunchroom Aim: Move healthy food options next to the register to replace the packaged snacks that are currently located there.

The last lunch period in School 3 starts at 1:00 pm…5 hours after school begins! The students in this lunch period are often very hungry when they buy lunch. The lunch staff notices that it is common for students to purchase the packaged snacks such as cookies and chips located next to the cash register as they pay for their meal. Parents and lunchroom directors would like to see the students substitute healthier sides for their lunches, instead of the packaged snack.

Current School 3 Lunchroom: Packaged snacks, such as cookies and chips, are located next the cash register where students can easily pick them up.

Smarter Lunchroom Initiatives:

Move healthier choices, such as cut vegetable sticks and whole fruit, next to the cash register. Place packaged snacks behind the counter, where students have to specifically request a packaged snack to get it.

Cost: None

Effort: Low