1
Michigan
Team Nutrition’s
Smarter Lunchroom
Story
NICK DRZAL, MPH, RDN
DIRECTOR, MICHIGAN TEAM NUTRITION
DRZALN@MICHIGAN.GOV
Agenda
2
Brief
history
Strategy
Impact
Lessons
learned
Picture from Dexter Public Schools. Dexter, Michigan
End in Mind

“I am excited about the things that are
happening in the lunchroom... We
have put the fruit in 2 places now and
are offering fresh fruit everyday to our
older students. Just today I gave out
stickers for eating carrots to kids that
refused to eat them before - just so
they could get the sticker.. :)”

TuscolaISD 10/2013
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Pictures from Dexter Public Schools. Dexter, Michigan
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Brief History

2012 Team Nutrition grant.

Social Learning Theory

To encourage SL adoption:
Observe
others modeling
the SL behavior.
Be
provided opportunities to
imitate others behavior
Student Sticker
Objectives
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4 regional Trainings
(~400)
Obj 1. Get the
word Out
Obj 2. Train 50
Schools to
implement
School Meals Training
(~50)
SNA Michigan Annual
Conference (~300)
$1000
Action Plan
Submit
success story
Technical
Assistance
Obj 3. Use Social Media to Create Peer to Peer Network – Share Success
Stories – Encourage Smarter Lunchroom Adoption
Obj 1: Getting the Word Out
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Partner with Michigan Consortias and Cornell BEN Center to
conduct 4 regional trainings targeting child nutrition
professionals.
 Pre-purchased smarter lunchroom cards worth $40 codes
sent via email.
 Participants asked to complete a Smarter Lunchroom
Action Plan
 Partner with SNA Michigan (SNAM) to promote smarter
lunchroom strategies at the annual conference.

Obj 1: Getting the Word Out
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Outcomes:
 405 trained (4 regional trainings plus 1 school meals training).
 Trained in day long smarter lunchroom training provided
by Cornell BEN Center.
405 $40 smarter lunchroom coupons issued.
76 $40 coupons redeemed.
 ~50 trained at a school meal summer conference.
 ~300 trained through SNA Michigan conference.
 One of 15 states where smarter lunchroom awareness
ranged between 20-50%. (Cornell Ben Center Research)
Obj 1: Getting the Word Out
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Post Survey Feedback from Regional Trainings:

Participants
 Enjoyed
the Smarter Lunchroom Movement materials.
(http://smarterlunchrooms.org/training-materials)
 Felt
inspired to try new strategies in their lunchrooms to help
students make healthier choices.
 Enjoyed
the speakers from the BEN Center.
 Appreciated
the printed materials; being able to network; and
spend time with their peers.
Obj 2. Working with 50 Schools

50 schools required to:

Attend day long training

Submit SL Action Plan.

Submit SL Success stories.

Submit HUSSC Application.

Received $1000 coupon to
create unique SL materials.
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Picture from Dexter Public Schools. Dexter, Michigan
Sample Action Plan
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http://smarterlunchrooms.org/resources
 Goal
#1: Increase amount of fruit & veggies students take and consume
 Step
1- Conduct waste study.
 Step
2- model the behavior from people they know and identify withtheir teachers and peers.
 Fruit
& veggie naming contest.
 Fruit/veggie
 Ask
campaign.
broadcasting clubs/21st century media classes to take
pictures/video of kids eating fruits and veggies during lunch.
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Sample
Action
Plan
South Haven Breakfast Kiosk Using SL Techniques
Sample Action Plan
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Picture of Warren Consolidated Schools SL Techniques
Obj 2. Working with 50 Schools

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Results from Mini-grant Post Survey:
 Felt
“very” confident in applying the Smarter Lunchroom
strategies (SL), and “very” likely to use SL training daily work.
 Most
common “greatest success” included: improved
accessibility and promotion/awareness of healthier options,
increased variety of fruit options, and increased meal
participation.
Obj 2. Working with 50 Schools
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
Most common barriers to implementation of SL strategies are
space/set-up issues, time, and administrative or staff
resistance.

Best Advice to Colleagues. It’s easier than you think to make
small changes and those small changes can make a big
impact, try new and different ideas, ask for help, and keep
trying. One participant noted that, “Presentation of the food
is everything,” and another said, “[The strategies] increase
nutritious choices at no or little cost.”
Obj 2. Working with 50 Schools

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Grantees received $1000 Smarter Lunchroom coupon.
 Unique
signage, clings, menu boards, posters specific to
school building mascot and colors, floor stickers,
Toolkit

Cover page

Assessment

Join TN Handout

Share Your Success
Handout

Dry Erase Menu Board

Express Lane Poster

Set of 20 clings to place
on salad bar and
service line
Obj 2. Working with 50 Schools
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Obj 2. Working with 50 Schools
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Click here to view SL materials: http://smarterlunchrooms.org/resource/alphagraphics-products. *ask for shipping cost quote prior to purchasing.
Obj 2. Working with 50 Schools
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Success Stories & Social Media
Trainings
Conduct Training on
SL Techniques to
Increase personal
knowledge and skills.
Mini-grant
training
and TA
Youtube
Identify practices
and skills we want
replicated.

24,000 views,

92 subscribers

~1600 likes.

~2000 followers.
Promote
Facebook
@teamnutritionmi
Success Stories & Social Media

Google
“Michigan
Team
Nutrition
Youtube”

Click on
“Smarter
Lunchroom
Moves”

https://www.youtube.com/user/miteamnutrition1
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Fruit Front-and-Center Drives Sales
Whitehall District Schools, Michigan

Rather than forcing students to purchase fruit signage and
placement are used to nudge.
 Fruit
is displayed in an attractive manner.
 Fruit
is placed in multiple locations.
 Signage
 Servers

reinforce the benefits of eating fruit.
encourage students to choose fruit.
View it on Youtube at:
 http://youtu.be/_A1MpI6LlhI?list=PLaqD6X6pQgmKGbGknhuaKn
_L_e3dbWhn4
Display a Sample Meal to Boost Service and
Customer Satisfaction
Plymouth/Canton Community Schools, Michigan

To help students choose a well-rounded meal, sample plates are
used.

At a glance, hungry students can see what’s available and decide
quickly and easily what they want to eat.

View it on Youtube at:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoD-jbLWGHs&list=UUc0k-
zCYp6YjcKlv2MYaYMg
Join The Conversation
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https://www.youtube.com/user/miteamnutrition1
https://www.facebook.com/MichiganTeamNutrition
https://twitter.com/teamnutritionmi
Pictures: Top - Unknown; Bottom - Waterford Public Schools