Page 11 - Demo

11Feed KidsIncrease Meal ParticipationSFS joined forces with local celebrity Chef Zach Bell and national nonprofit No Kid Hungry (NKH), to spice up school menus with fresh, creative recipes. Chef Bell is known for his strong community support, most notably for his work with NKH, providing nutritious meals to families in need. Since its start in January 2024, the collaboration has been a resounding success, with students enthusiastically embracing the new menu items. In April 2024, we celebrated Earth Day with a new Chef Bell inspired Falafel Bowl, featuring an ancient grain base, roasted veggies, plant-based protein, and a delicious sauce. Chef Bell visited Allamanda ES on Monday, April 21st, as the item was debuted. Additionally, his culinary expertise was the foundation for the Haitian Heritage Month featured dishes: Roasted Chicken Drumsticks, Rice and Beans, Sweet Plantains, and Pickled Slaw.Marketing CampaignOur SFS Marketing Team kicked off FY24 with a postcard mailing to nearly 130,000 homes reminding families that all District students receive all school meals free of charge. Instructions to access menus, nutritional and allergen details, and information on how school menus are designed to meet the needs of our diverse student population were also included. Postcard information in both Spanish and Haitian Creole were also made available on our SFS website.Throughout the school year, we designed promotional and educational materials on special menu offerings to provide nutrition education and encourage students to try something new. These included dishes for nationally recognized celebrations such as Earth Day and Johnny Appleseed Day and to promote cultural awareness for Hispanic Heritage Month, Black History Month, and Chinese New Year.Summer OutreachAs part of our summer marketing campaign, we collaborated with the United Way of Palm Beach County to promote our free summer meals. SFS designed and printed door hangers which were distributed by United Way volunteers to homes in seven cities from Boynton Beach to Belle Glade. Additionally, nearly 100,000 free summer meal flyers were included in monthly utility bills for residents of Riviera Beach and were also distributed throughout the Palm Beach County Library System, Goodwill locations, and other community food pantries and backpack feeding programs.Local Chef Collaboration