Relax, It’s Bid Season!
Celebrate All You’ve Accomplished as You Look Ahead
The winter break offers a welcome time for K-12 foodservice directors to recharge and reflect. Think of how much your students have grown, thanks to your constant efforts to provide fuel to life, fuel to the joy of eating.
Spend a moment before the big break to button up your planning for the year to come.
Use these simple tips to make the most of the new bid season and ensure smooth operations.
Check Off Key Tasks for Peace of Mind
Zero in on what you know right now to guide your upcoming bidding process. Decide what healthy meals mean for your students, your district – and move forward with confidence.
Start here: Review menu performance data from this year
Go here: Decide what to keep, what to grow, and what to change
Pre-winter break is the time to:
- Review contracts with current vendors
- Undergo product evaluations for next school year
- Put out solicitations for bids – by single item or as a combination to suppliers / distributors
(Don’t forget to lock in great pricing on SunButter®, the Worry-Free Wonderfood!)
Identify Gaps
Build projections based on this year’s numbers, then work in any known or planned changes, in terms of:
What You’re Serving
- New allergy-friendly dishes
- Recipes that reflect more students’ cultures
- Fresh and local food initiatives
- Speed-scratch, scratch, or fully prepared menu optimization
How It’s Served
- New grab & go options
- Tech-savvy vending
- Extended before- or after-school serving
- Equipment needs and opportunities
SunButter® Sweet Potato Nachos with Spicy Thai Sauce
Consider True Partners
In addition to price, it’s important to judge suppliers on:
- Value-added resources
- Overall service
- Reliability
- Ease of use and cross-utilization of products
Get Your Annual Planning Guide
Download our free guide to help you navigate the nuances of the bid season and make it as easy as possible, plus:
- Assessing budget vs. actual spending for the first quarter
- Encouraging student input on menu changes
- Evaluating staff performance and conducting recognition programs
- Planning promotions around Healthy School Meals Awareness Month (January)
- Useful tools, like a press release template
- Print it out, hang it on the wall, and keep it handy!
Product Pioneers: When We Say Free of the Top 9 Food Allergens, We Mean It
SunButter® created the first nut-free spread for schools in partnership with the USDA. SunButter® is the original, made in the USA. We’re super passionate about inspiring simple, inclusive menus that nourish all students.
