Sunny Does It

There’s no denying the excitement of a fresh, crisp start to the academic year, full of bright possibilities.

Even before students fill up the cafeterias and grab & go stations, tempt them with a taste of what’s to come.

Give students and staff a reason to want to return with attractive new menu options and simple, allergy-friendly serving.

Back to School Checklist

New Year, New Engagement

• Plan inclusive welcome week and back-to-school specials
  
• Organize a back-to-school food fair with inclusivity themed components
  
• Offer dietary accommodation sessions for students with food allergies and/or preferences
  
• Conduct a student-led culinary contest tied to allergy awareness: Create the next SunButter® Breakfast Pizza

Showcase Better Menus

• Revamp breakfast and grab & go with protein-rich, plant-based options
  
• Expand allergy-friendly stations to meet diverse allergy and dietary needs
  
• Promote new menu items at orientation days and in newsletters
  
• Highlight sustainable dining initiatives such as waste reduction and USA-made sourcing
  

Check Equipment and Inventory

• Conduct kitchen simulations for efficiency optimization
  
• Test and inspect kitchen equipment
  
• Finalize food orders and stock inventory for the first weeks
  

Boost Staff Readiness

• Train staff on portion control, meal presentation, and speed-of-service
  
• Cover best practices and safety protocols for food allergen management
  
• Review and adjust staff scheduling for efficiency
  
• Conduct a kickoff meeting with stakeholders
  

Shine a Light On Allergy Awareness

Did You Know?
Food allergens are a known risk, affecting an estimated 7-8% of children worldwide, or about two children per classroom of 25. Allergens are a hidden risk, too. Studies show that nearly a third of allergic reactions in schools occur among students who did not have a previously known or reported food allergy. 

Source: “Food Allergy Education and Management in Schools: A Scoping Review on Current Practices and Gaps.” Published in Nutrients. 2022 Feb; 14(4): 732.

For C&U Leaders: Taste the Possibilities

• Host meet-the-chef events; invite parents and prospective students to drive enrollment
  
• Throughout the year, keep students engaged with themed stations that highlight social media food trends, family recipes submitted by students, different geographical regions, or contest winners
  
• Revamp grab & go stations with protein-rich, allergy friendly beverages like Chocolate SunButter® Smoothies

For K-12 Leaders: Get Your Annual Planning Guide

Sound like a lot? SunButter® is here to help.

Download our free guide to help navigate the most pressing priorities in the year ahead. Your guide includes:

• National School Lunch Week Promotions (3rd week of October)
  
• Menu Planning Tips
• Budget Prompts
• Trends in Student Marketing
• LTO Calendar
• Useful Tools, like a Press Release Template

Get Guide

5 Reasons SunButter^® is for Everyone Under the Sun

1. Allergy-Friendly Guardian: Free from all top 9 food allergens
2. Very, Very Versatile: The true peanut butter “dupe”
3. Nutrient Powerhouse: 6-7g plant-based protein per serving; nutrient-rich source of fiber, vitamin E, zinc, iron, vitamin B6, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, and manganese
   
4. Delicious to Eat: The toasty taste people know and love
5. Grown for Good: Made in the USA with sustainable sunflower seeds