Strategies for Increasing Participation. At Risk Afterschool Snack and Dinner Programs

Transcription

1 Strategies for Increasing Participation At Risk Afterschool Snack and Dinner Programs

2 About Us... Hannah Duke Director of Youth Programs Rebecca Woolsey Director of Nutrition Programs

3 About Our Community... Total Population - 25,000 Children enrolled in Public Schools - 3,707 61% of all Hastings Public School children qualify for Free/Reduced Lunch Only one school in the District s Free/Reduced Lunch rate in less that 50%

4 About Our Program... Started in 1998 by the YWCA of Adams County Completely free and open to any Hastings area middle or high school children every day after school Offers Homework Tutoring, Nutrition and Cooking Classes, Life Skills Lessons, Science & Art Projects, Intramural Sports, Teen Outreach, Community Service Projects, and special events Serves students each day during the school year 2017 Recipient of the USDA s Silver Turnip the Beet Award

5 About Out Program Growth... From the school year to the school year: Snack Program: 30% increase Dinner Program: 75% increase Average Daily Attendance: 50% increase Homework Participation: 18% Teen Outreach Participation: 67% increase

6 Our Presentation Administrative Strategies Tracking Systems, Community Outreach, Advertising & Branding Kitchen Strategies Menu Planning, Shopping Locally, Cooking from Scratch

7 Administrative Strategies For Increasing Snack and Dinner Participation

8 Building a Better Tracking System... Accurately Tracking program participation is vital to know if your strategies are working properly. Learn basics of Microsoft Excel Compile Program numbers as far back as possible Create Comparative Tracking Tables

9 Building a Better Tracking System... Measurable Program Growth Accountability for Staff Ease of Accessibility Monitor multiple programs

10 Building a Community Expanding food programs requires the assistance of current program users. Siblings, Cousins, extended family Friends, neighbors, classmates Parents, Grandparents, Guardians

11 Building a Community Having a solid foundation for a program starts with solid relationships with other organizations in the community Public Schools Nonprofits & Churches Colleges Hospitals Grocery Stores

12 Using Social Media... Traditional advertising methods are ineffective for the CACFP target age group Social Media is a major source of information for most people under 35 Social Media can target hard to reach teenagers

13 Using Social Media... Social Media Post Boosting Basics Instead of Try Text Only Posts Posting images of fliers/handouts Facts and Statistics Testimonials from program users Group Photos Candid shots, selfie style photos Menu Reminders Photographs of meals Posting sporadically Scheduled weekly posting Waiting for organic likes Liking your posts from other pages

14 Using Social Media... Liking and Sharing as Other Pages Scheduling Future Posts Pictures of Food, Kids, and Kids with Food

15 Using Social Media... Food Photography Tips Avoid direct light Never use the flash Use a dark colored plate Use a white backdrop Close up on one item Don t cook your food all the way Don t worry about serving sizes

16 Creating a Restaurant Experience... Shedding the School Lunch Reputation Ned s Declassified School Survival Guide Mean Girls Supersize Me What School Lunches Look Like Around the World

17 Creating a Restaurant Experience... Start in the Lunchroom with easy, cost efficient changes. Cafe Style Menu Board Open curtains/blinds and windows if weather allows Baskets with napkins, utensils, and salt and pepper shakers at each table Round Plates instead of square trays

18 Kitchen Strategies For Increasing Snack and Dinner Participation

19 Creating a Restaurant Experience Approaching your kitchen management like a Chef: Menu Planning Shopping Locally Cooking from Scratch Providing Enrichment Opportunities

20 Menu Planning When planning your menu, ask yourself: Are there at least 3 different colors? Are there 2-3 different textures? How much time do I have? Will they eat it if I serve it?

21 Shopping Local. Benefits of shopping local sales and Farmer s Markets More room made in the budget Opportunity for more high quality ingredients Seasonal Produce featured Community Networking at Farmer s Market *Double up on sales selections by learning what day the sales change.*

22 Shopping Local... Meat Cut Price Comparison for Carne Asada Skirt Steak 8.99/lb Flank Steak 8.59/lb Flat iron 6.99/lb Carne Asada Top round 3.99/lb Meet Erica and Javier Account for 25% weight loss when cooking poultry, pork and beef.

23 Cooking from Scratch... Home Cooked Meal Benefits Tastes Better Fills the Space with delicious smells Meals are more filling Higher nutrition value More Cost effective Higher quality Food Less food waste

24 Cooking from Scratch... Homemade versions of. Make homemade versions of junk food Pizza with whole grain dough Homemade chicken nuggets Soups - Casseroles - Slow Cooker Meals Makes less popular foods more attractive Incorporate 2-3 meals components into one dish

25 Cooking from Scratch... Whole Grains Whole Wheat Pastry Flour in place of All Purpose Use a Basic Muffin or Granola Recipe Remember wheat isn t the only whole grains

26 Cooking from Scratch Why Use Fresh Produce? Looks Better- Offers a full spectrum of shapes and colors Taste better - Offers a wide variety of tastes and textures Better For you- higher nutritional value, no extras Benefits of Serving Medleys: Provides opportunity for kids to try something new Taste testing makes for a fun enrichment activity Opportunity to fill the exposure gap Teaches food appreciation Gives children a sense of control and autonomy Increases the likelihood of actually trying new foods

27 Cooking from Scratch... Serving Fresh Produce Serve with cheese, nuts, yogurt dips, hummus or housemade dressings Use fresh herbs and aromatics to enhance flavors Try new preparation methods: Steaming, Sauteeing, Roasting Sneak Veggies into baked goods - Kids won t even know

28 Providing Enrichment Opportunities Getting Family and Kids Involved Offer Nutrition and Cooking Classes to students and families Include youth in the serving and preparation of meals Benefits Teaches basic kitchen skills and sanitation practices Teaches ownership and appreciation for programs Starts kids on the road to healthy lifelong eating habits

29 Thank You Questions are welcome! Audiovisual Sponsor