Given that this school year has been unlike any other, it’s more important now than ever to communicate with families about school meals—who they’re available to, how to access them, what’s on the menu and more.
This toolkit was created to help you get the word out to families about meals available for kids.
It includes a variety of both ready to use and customizable assets—in both English and Spanish—to help you quickly and easily communicate with families. Scroll down for social media images, sample social media posts, postcards and more. You can also click on this hyperlinked table of contents for instant access to any section.
- Getting Started
- Social Media Graphics
- Sample Social Media Copy
- Postcards
- Sample Robocall Script
- More Resources
Getting Started
Marketing is one of the most effective tools for increasing participation in school meals. It is important to promote your school meals program on an ongoing basis, but it is particularly important to communicate about anything new or different. If anything about your program has recently changed or will soon be changing (like pick up times or locations), make sure to inform families as soon as possible. Consistency is also key—even if there isn’t anything new or different to share, regularly promoting your program can remind families that school meals are something that they can rely on.
Think about the families in your district—how do they typically receive information? Utilize the channels that families are familiar with to share information about school meals.
Check your school/district website to ensure that information about your school meals program is up-to-date and easy for families to find. Ideally, this information should be located on the website homepage. Make sure the information includes details about what meals are being served; pick up or delivery days, times and locations; and menus. Be sure to include contact information for nutrition services so that families can reach out with any questions.
Social Media Graphics
Social media is a great tool for growing awareness about school meals. If your school/district has active social media accounts—like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram—utilize these channels to promote your school meals program. Wondering what to post on social media? Post photos, announce the menu, introduce your staff, promote special events, share schedule reminders, etc.
To help you get started, we’ve created these graphics. Post them on your social media account(s) to make sure families know about the benefits of school meals and that they’re available free/at no cost through the end of the 2020-2021 school year.
Pair the graphics with one of the sample social media posts below or with your own text. This is important to ensuring that families get additional details about the school meals program at their school/district.
No social media? No problem! These graphics can also be included in newsletters, on flyers, in emails, etc.
Facebook Images
En Español
Instagram Images
En Español
Instagram Story Images
En Español
Twitter Images
En Español
Sample Social Media Copy
The sample social media posts are just examples. The messaging was developed to give you a head start. You’re encouraged to adjust the messaging to fit the details of meal service in your district. For example, that may include adjusting the age range or changing the wording from “all kids” if you’re only serving enrolled students.
Did you know (Insert School District/School) is offering FREE MEALS to all kids 18 and younger? Support our school nutrition staff while saving your family time and money. Learn more here: (insert website)
Did you know (Insert School District/School) is offering meals at no cost to families for all kids 18 and younger? Support our school nutrition staff while saving time and money. Learn more here: (insert website)
We’d love to see you! Our school nutrition team has been working hard to prepare meals for kids. Meals are available for all kids age 18 and younger. Pick up is easy-- just grab and go! Learn more here: (insert website)
Looking for a way to help? One of the easiest ways is participating in (insert district name)’s school meal program. When all families participate, it keeps the program strong for families in need. Learn more here: (insert website)
We know that kids need food to grow and learn. (Insert School District/School) has safe, nutritious and convenient meals available at no cost for all kids age 18 and younger. Learn more here: (insert website)
Participating in school meals can save families time spent grocery shopping and meal prepping. Just grab and go! Learn more here: (insert website)
Though this school year looks different than usual, we’re still committed to making sure our students have the nutrition they need to learn. Meals are available to students taking classes at school or at home. Learn more here: (insert website)
En Español
¿Sabía que (Insertar Distrito Escolar / Escuela) ofrece COMIDAS GRATUITAS a todos los niños de 18 años o menores? Apoye a nuestro personal de nutrición escolar mientras le ahorra tiempo y dinero a su familia. Obtenga más información aquí (inserte el sitio web)
¿Sabía que (Insertar Distrito Escolar / Escuela) ofrece comidas gratuitas a todos los niños de 18 años o menores? Apoye a nuestro personal de nutrición escolar mientras le ahorra tiempo y dinero a su familia. Obtenga más información aquí (inserte el sitio web)
¡Nos encantaría verle! Nuestro equipo de nutrición escolar ha estado trabajando arduamente para preparar las comidas para los niños. Las comidas están disponibles para todos los niños de 18 años o menores. Recogerlas es fácil, ¡solo tómelas y llévelas! Obtenga más información aquí: (insertar el sitio web)
¡Nos encantaría verle! Nuestro equipo de nutrición escolar ha estado trabajando arduamente para preparar las comidas para los niños. Las comidas están disponibles para todos los niños de 18 años o menos. Recogerlas es fácil, ¡solo tómelas y llévelas! Obtenga más información aquí: (insertar el sitio web)
¿Busca una forma de ayudar? Una de las formas más fáciles es participar en el programa de comidas escolares de (inserte el nombre del distrito). Cuando todas las familias participan, el programa se mantiene sólido para las familias necesitadas. Obtenga más información aquí: (insertar sitio web)
Sabemos que los niños necesitan alimentos para crecer y aprender. (Insertar distrito escolar / escuela) tiene comidas seguras, nutritivas y convenientes disponibles sin costo para todos los niños de 18 años o menos. Obtenga más información aquí: (insertar sitio web)
La participación en las comidas escolares puede ahorrarles a las familias el tiempo que dedican en hacer las compras y preparar la comida. ¡Solo tómelas y llévelas! Obtenga más información aquí: (insertar sitio web)
Aunque este año escolar es diferente a lo habitual, seguimos comprometidos en asegurarnos de que nuestros estudiantes tengan la nutrición necesaria para estudiar. Las comidas están disponibles para los alumnos que toman clases en la escuela o en casa. Obtenga más información aquí: (insertar sitio web)
Postcards
These postcards can be printed and included inside meal bags/boxes; distributed during student pick up or drop off; mailed home; etc. They were designed to be printed at a size of 5.5” x 4.25”.
Find the postcards in both English and Spanish at this link: https://bit.ly/3x1UBgO
Robocall Scripts
Did you know (Insert School District/School) is offering free meals/meals at no cost to all kids 18 and younger? These meals are convenient, safe and nutritious. Support our school meals program while saving your family time and money. Learn more by visiting xxx.com/calling xxx-xxx-xxxx.
(Insert School District/School) is offering free meals/meals at no cost to all kids 18 and younger. Meals are available for pick up on day(s). We’d love to see you! Just grab and go! Learn more about pick up times and locations by visiting xxx.com/calling xxx-xxx-xxxx.
En Español
¿Sabía que (Insertar distrito escolar / escuela) está ofreciendo comidas gratuitas/comidas sin costo a todos los niños de 18 años o menores? Estas comidas son convenientes, seguras y nutritivas. Apoye nuestro programa de comidas escolares mientras le ahorra tiempo y dinero a su familia. Obtenga más información visitando xxxx.com/ llamando a xxx-xxx-xxxx.
(Insert School District/School) está ofreciendo comidas gratis/comidas sin costo alguno para todos los niños de 18 años o menores. Las comidas están disponibles para recoger el (los) día (s). ¡Nos encantaría verle! ¡Solo tómelas y llévelas! Obtenga más información sobre los horarios y lugares de recogida visitando xxx.com/llamando a xxx-xxx-xxxx.
More Resources
For additional social media graphics, check out our Fall 2020 School Meals Marketing Toolkit.
The No Kid Hungry Center for Best Practices has created a suite of resources designed to help you navigate meal service during the 2020-2021 school year. Find this toolkit and other resources here.