PROMOTION CALENDAR 2021-22 - Celebration Opportunities & Ideas for School Cafeterias
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PROMOTION CALENDAR 2021–22
Celebration
Opportunities & Ideas
for School Cafeterias
Brought to you by School Nutrition © 2021
AUGUST 2021 Back to School Month Weeklong/Multi-Day Events
» Tokyo Summer Olympics (July 23-Aug. 8)
» International Assistance Dog Week (Aug. 1-7)
» International Clown Week (Aug. 1-7)
» National Farmers Market Week (Aug. 1-7)
» Twins Days Festival (Aug. 6-8)
» Paralympic Games (Aug. 24-Sept. 5)
Monthlong Events Single-Day Events
» Back to School Month » National Watermelon Day (Aug. 3) » World Photography Day (Aug. 19)
» International Pirate Month » Anniversary of Voting Rights Act of 1965 (Aug. 6) » National Lemonade Day (Aug. 20)
» National Catfish Month » National Mustard Day (Aug. 7) » World Honey Bee Day (Aug. 21)
» National Eye Exam Month » International Cat Day (Aug. 8) » World Plant Based Milk Day (Aug. 22)
» National Goat Cheese Month » National Middle Child’s Day (Aug. 12) » Mother Teresa’s Birthday (Aug. 26)
» National Immunization Awareness Month » World Elephant Day (Aug. 12) » National Dog Day (Aug. 26)
» National Panini Month » International Left-Handers Day (Aug. 13) » 1 963 March on Washington/I Have a Dream Speech
» National Sandwich Month » National Fajita Day (Aug. 18) Anniversary (Aug. 28)
» National Aviation Day/Orville Wright’s 150th Birthday (Aug. 19)
*Look for more details and ideas about the highlighted items on each month’s companion page.
Brought
August 2021tobrought School
you by to Nutition
you by ©2018
Ripple Foods©
AUGUST 2021
IDEA WHAT tween 200 and 600 pounds of food—grasses, tree foliage,
National Eye Exam Month Twins Days Festival (Aug. 6-8) bark, twigs, fruit and other vegetation—but their bodies only
With nearly 80% of learning Celebrated every summer since 1976 process about 40% of what they eat. Elephants also drink
occurring through visual activi- in Twinsburg, Ohio, the Twins Days up to 50 gallons of water each day—about as much as a
ties, according to the American Festival draws thousands of twins and multiples, earning standard bathtub! Visit www.wwf.org to learn more about
Optometric Association (AOA), status as the largest such annual gathering by Guinness elephants.
untreated vision problems can Book of World Records. Attendees range from newborns to
have serious effects on children’s octogenarians, with both identical and non-identical siblings. IDEA
academic success. You can help The event not only celebrates twins, triplets and so on, but World Photography Day (Aug. 19)
spread the important wellness has become a resource for researchers and genealogists. There are so many ways to celebrate the
message of vision exams and screenings with a simple If you are a twin, have a twin on your staff or serve twins power of photos to communicate and
reminder to parents on your menu about National Eye Exam in your school cafeteria, highlight this fun and fascinating capture memories. Create a selfie frame
Month. Catch their “eye” by making a nutrition connection, status with signage and/or social media posts. for students to use when posing for
such as noting the importance of omega-3 fatty acids in photos you will post on your social media channels. Rent
proper visual development and vitamins A, C and E for FACT a photo booth for a day or two, allowing students to take
good eye health. National Watermelon Day (Aug. 3) keepsake images together after eating lunch. Challenge
Did You Know? cafeteria teams to brush up on their photo skills with a
WHAT » Watermelons are 92% water, contest for the most attractive lunch tray photos. Use this
National Panini Month making them a refreshing way day to start a year-long project to take photos of school
What’s the difference between a to hydrate. meals every day and create a mosaic or collage of these
panini and another grilled sandwich? » Most are 70% flesh and 30% when the school year ends.
Fundamentally, not much, but there are distinct rind—but 100% edible!
characteristics about these crispy, craveable, gooey » Debate rages as to whether
WHAT
delights. Panini sandwiches usually feature a thick, sturdy a watermelon is a fruit or World Plant Based Milk
bread (such as Italian bread, baguette, sub roll or ciabatta) vegetable. Day (Aug. 22)
and are pressed or weighted down. The best panini have Vegans and those with med-
» There are 1,200 different varieties, but they come in four
golden brown, ridged grill marks on the bread. Don’t have ical or cultural issues that restrict consumption of dairy milk
main categories: seeded, seedless, mini and yellow/
a panini grill or press in your kitchen? Just use your flattop are turning to plant-based beverages that mimic many of
orange.
or grill and a brick! the characteristics of milk—particularly color and mouthfeel.
» Early explorers used watermelons as canteens. They can be made from grains (oat, rice, barley and more),
IDEA » The heaviest watermelon (so far) weighed in at 350.5 legumes (soy, pea and peanut) and nuts (almonds, cashews
pounds in 2013. and walnuts). Coconut and potato are other sources of
National Farmers Market Week
(Aug. 1-7) » They’re the official state vegetable of Oklahoma, although some plant-based “milks.” In the U.S., these beverages
If you have a school in a Florida, Georgia, California and Texas together account are steadily gaining popularity. Almond milk commands the
neighborhood considered to be a for two-thirds of U.S. production. largest market share (64%), with oat milk on the rise.
food desert without easy access
to fresh produce and other healthy foods, consider hosting IDEA
a special or periodic farmers market event at that site! World Elephant Day (Aug. 12)
Working with your principal, reach out to area farmers Promote awareness about this beloved
who are current partners for local procurement or farm-to- species, which is endangered in many
school activities. Suggest they set up tables in an area of parts of the world, by focusing on what
the school parking lot or near the entrance at a time when and how elephants eat. They may
parents are dropping off or picking up children. spend as much as 12 to 18 hours of
each day eating. Adults consume be-
Brought
August 2021 to you bytoSchool
brought you byNutition ©2018
Ripple Foods©
SEPTEMBER 2021 National Rice Month
Monthlong Events
» Better Breakfast Month
» Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
» Classical Music Month
» Fruits & Veggies—More Matters Month
» Library Card Sign-Up Month
» National Chicken Month
» National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
» National Courtesy Month
» National Food Safety Education Month
» National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15)
» National Honey Month
» National Mushroom Month
» National Potato Month
» National Rice Month
» Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
» National Yoga Month
» National Whole Grains Month
» National Dance Day (Sept. 18)
Single-Day Events » National Gymnastics Day (Sept. 18)
» National Food Bank Day (Sept. 3)
» International Talk Like a Pirate Day
» Labor Day (Sept. 6)
(Sept. 19)
» International Literacy Day (Sept. 8)
» First Day of Fall (Autumn Equinox)
» National Football League Season (Sept. 22)
Opener (Sept. 9)
» Johnny Appleseed’s Birthday
» Patriot Day, 9/11 Anniversary (Sept. (Sep. 26)
11)
» World Tourism Day (Sept. 27)
» National Grandparents’ Day (Sept. 12)
» National Celiac Disease
» World School Milk Day (Sept. 29) Weeklong/Multi-Day Events
Awareness Day (Sept. 13)
» International Translation Day »C onstitution Week (Sept. 17-23)
(Sept. 30) »R osh Hashanah (Sept. 6-8)
» National Peanut Day (Sept. 13)
» National Stepfamily Day (Sept. 16) » National Arts in Education Week (Sept. 12-18)
» International Country Music Day »Y om Kippur (Sept. 15-16)
(Sept. 17) » International Week of the Deaf (Sept. 20-26)
» Banned Books Week (Sept. 26-Oct. 2)
*Look for more details and ideas about the highlighted items on each month’s companion page. September 2021 brought to you by Simplot©
SEPTEMBER 2021
IDEA FACT IDEA
National Food Safety National Potato Month World Tourism Day
Education Month Did You Know? (Sept. 27)
You practice diligent food safety » Potatoes are grown in all 50 states. Create a collage display
protocols every day, making » An 8-oz. baked potato has only about 100 calories. of images of the favorite
your knowledge and expertise » The potato was the first vegetable to be grown in space in vacation sites—or
a valuable resource to parents! October 1995. bucket list destinations
Every year, an estimated 1 in 6 » The potato is a fat-free, nutrient-dense food. USDA has —of your cafeteria team members. Ask children as they go
Americans get sick from a foodborne illness. Throughout this stated that “a diet of whole milk and potatoes would supply through the line where they would like to travel. Use social
month, you can promote key food safety concepts, including almost all of the food elements necessary for the mainte- media or flyers to highlight some of the tourist sites that
handwashing, using a food thermometer when cooking, nance of the human body.” are right in your own backyard—the parks, attractions,
proper chilling of perishable foods, safe food storage, monuments, natural wonders, museums, galleries and
» Don’t wash potatoes before storing; this speeds decay.
management of leftovers and avoiding cross-contamination historic spots that are worth fresh attention and exploration.
of raw and cooked foods. Develop a calendar of short tips IDEA
that can be shared via social media (posts, infographics or
National Arts in
videos) or on fact sheets sent home.
Education Week
(Sept. 12-18)
WHAT Reach out to arts
National Hispanic Heritage Month educators and club
Celebrate the histories, cultures and advisers in your school,
contributions of American citizens expressing your interest in supporting messages about the
whose ancestors came from Spain, value of arts education. Offer to display visual artwork in the
Mexico, certain Caribbean islands dining area, suggest a music group perform during meal
and Central and South America. The dates periods or organize a creative writing contest with poems or
reflect the anniversaries of independence for several Latin essays on the importance of good nutrition. Run video clips
American countries. During this month, festivals, educational on cafeteria monitors of school theater and dance perfor-
FACT
and cultural events take place throughout the United States mances. Use social media or create a display highlighting World School Milk Day (Sept. 29)
to recognize the positive impact of Hispanic Americans. photos of your school’s arts educators, thanking them for This observance has been promoted since 2000 as a way
their creative hard work. of raising awareness of the value of school milk not just as
WHAT a component in U.S. federal child nutrition programs, but all
National Honey Month WHAT across the globe. The U.S. reaches the most children with
Honey starts as flower nectar school milk programs, but other countries reaching large
National Celiac Disease Awareness Day (Sept. 13)
collected by bees. The color and numbers of children with the nutritious beverage include
While gluten-free food choices have become trendy, for
flavor of honey varies based on the China, Iran, Japan, France, Thailand and Turkey. Among the
some children, a gluten-free diet is a medical necessity.
original floral source. There are more 58 countries that participated in a 2013 International Dairy
Celiac disease is a condition in which consumption of gluten,
than 300 distinct types of honey available Federation survey, 93% distributed milk in the classroom;
a protein found in wheat, rye and barley products, can result
in the United States. These range from wildflower (delicious 71% in a school cafeteria/canteen.
in digestive problems and cause damage to the small
in salad dressings) and orange blossom (great in a marinade intestine. If you serve students with celiac
or with brie and goat cheese) to buckwheat (good in disease, you need to become very fluent
barbecue sauces or hearty baked goods) and blueberry in reading ingredient lists to identify all
(featuring a buttery finish that pairs well with yogurt and the products that can contain gluten,
sour cream). Do you know any beekeepers in your area as well as appropriate substitutes.
who might help you with a tasting activity this month? Visit www.celiac.org to learn more.
September 2021 brought to you by Simplot©
OCTOBER 2021 National Farm to School Month
Weeklong/Multi-Day Events
» Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 3-9)
» International Postcard Week (Oct. 3-9)
» Customer Service Week (Oct. 4-8)
» Earth Science Week (Oct. 10-16)
» National School Lunch Week (Oct. 12-16)
» National School Bus Safety Week (Oct. 17-23)
Monthlong Events
» Breast Cancer Awareness Month
» Down Syndrome Awareness
Month
» German American Heritage Month
» Global Diversity Awarenes
Month
» Health Literacy Month
» Italian American Heritage Month
» National Apple Month
» National Book Month
»National Bullying Prevention
Awareness Month
» National Chili Month
» National Cookbook Month
» National Dental Hygiene Month
» National Domestic Violence
Awareness Month
» National Farm to School Month
» National Fire Prevention Month
» National Pasta Month
» National Pizza Month » World Octopus Day (Oct. 8) » International Chefs Day (Oct 20)
» National Popcorn Poppin’ Month Single-Day Events » World Mental Health Day (Oct. 10) » National Color Day (Oct. 22)
» National Pretzel Month » International Vegetarian Day (Oct. 1)
» Native American Day/Indigenous People’s » World Pasta Day (Oct. 25)
» National Seafood Month » National Custodial Workers Day (Oct. 2)
Day (Oct. 11) » World Series Begins (Oct. 26)
» Polish American Heritage Month » Gandhi’s Birthday/International Day of
» Boss’s Day (observed Oct. 15) » National Chocolate Day (Oct. 28)
Nonviolence (Oct. 2)
» Spinach Lovers’ Month » Global Handwashing Day (Oct 15) » Statue of Liberty Birthday (Oct. 28)
» National Taco Day (Oct. 4)
» Vegetarian Awareness Month » National Dictionary Day (Oct. 16) » National Magic Day (Oct. 31)
» National Walk to School Day (Oct. 6)
» World Food Day (Oct. 16)
*Look for more details and ideas about the highlighted items on each month’s companion page. October 2021Brought
broughttotoyou bySchool
youby Nutition
ConAgra ©2018
Foodservice©
OCTOBER 2021
IDEA » For 37 years, the International Pizza Expo & Conference wait times, running out of menu items, an unattractive
Global Diversity Awareness has featured sessions on popular new styles (like Detroit), setting, dismissive attitudes toward complaints and failure
Month flour blends, vegan pizzas and top trends. to request feedback. Use this week to make sure your
Go all out to plan a diverse » NASA has contracted for a 3-D printer that will make pizza customers know how much they are valued!
menu this month that features (and other foods) for astronauts on space missions.
traditional cultural dishes from » Eggs are a popular topping in Australia; deep-fried pizza IDEA
populations represented by your is a Scottish favorite; mayo is a common topping in Japan; World Octopus Day (Oct. 8)
staff or student body. (You may and green peas regularly dot pizzas in Brazil! The octopus is having a
need to tweak some recipes in moment. With a growing
order to be compliant with nutri- IDEA presence in popular culture
tion standards.) Designate one Spinach Lovers’ Month (thanks to the Oscar-winning
day each week—Wednesday, perhaps—as Global Diversity Encourage students to eat more Netflix documentary “My
Menu Day to serve these items. Promote the entire menu all spinach to grow healthy and strong! Octopus Teacher” and a corresponding commercial
month long and develop social media posts or handouts with You can help wary kids to try spinach produced by Google), the once-feared sea “monster”
facts about the origins of the dishes and their ingredients, by adding it to smoothies, pancakes and dishes with has captured the fascination of children and adults alike.
traditional preparation techniques and even recipe cards “acceptable” flavor profiles like those with cheese, pasta, Decorate your cafeteria in an “under the sea” theme, share
(converted to family-size portions). tomatoes and eggs. Another tactic is to make sure spinach fascinating facts and ask the librarian to lend you some
is part of a school garden project. Children are more willing books to display on the serving line, such as Take Your
IDEA to try foods they’ve grown and harvested on their own. Octopus to School Day, Inky the Octopus and Tickly
National Cookbook Month Octopus. Ask students to imagine what they would do
Do you and coworkers collect cookbooks? IDEA with eight different arms!
As a team-building exercise, organize a International Postcard Week
cookbook swap this month, challenging (Oct. 3-9) IDEA
one another to try one new recipe at home. Do you collect more postcards International Chefs Day (Oct. 20)
Post photos of the results on social media or bring them to from travel destinations than you Use this date to promote the
a potluck dinner scheduled for your next chapter meeting send through the mail? You and culinary creativity and expertise
or other event. To engage your community, convert some of your coworkers can use these in a fun engagement activity. of the school chefs (and cooks)
the most popular recipes you serve throughout the school Write notes about the signature foods related to the on your nutrition services team!
year into family-size yields and collect them to share with destinations on the cards or generic good wishes (“Keep On serving lines or social media
parents via your website or social media channels. Or sell traveling to the cafeteria!” “Oh, the places you will go!” channels, share their photos
your “cookbook” at a moderate price as a fundraiser to “Every day is a great adventure”) and let students pick and bios, as well as their go-to
underwrite future cafeteria activities with students. one at random to keep as they come through the line. Or, ingredients for culinary inspiration
distribute blank cards and ask kids to create their own and favorite dishes to make and eat.
FACT postcard pictures of favorite foods or vacations or Another idea is to let the menu for this day feature a “Chef’s
National Pizza Month someplace they want to visit one day. Special” and give your chefs free rein to surprise and delight
Share these five fast facts with students with something new and unexpected.
students this month! FACT
» The average American eats Customer Service Week (Oct. 4-8)
more than 23 pounds of pizza Do you and your team members
every year! know some of the most common
» Mozzarella, the common pizza customer service traps in foodservice?
topper, accounts for some 80% These include: poor or inconsistent
of all U.S. cheese production. food quality, unfriendly servers, long
October 2021Brought
broughttotoyou
youby
bySchool
ConAgra Foodservice©
Nutition ©2018
NOVEMBER 2021 Military Family Month Single-Day Events
»A ll Saints Day/All Hallows’ Day
(Nov. 1)
» National Author’s Day (Nov. 1)
» National Cinnamon Day (Nov. 1)
» Cookie Monster Day (Nov. 2)
» National Sandwich Day (Nov. 3)
» Diwali—The Hindu Festival
of Lights (Nov. 4)
» National Nachos Day (Nov. 6)
» Daylight Savings Time Ends
(Nov. 7)
» National STEM/STEAM Day
(Nov. 8)
» Veterans Day (Nov. 11)
» National Pickle Day (Nov. 14)
» National Philanthropy Day
(Nov. 15)
» America Recycles Day (Nov. 15)
» National Education Support
Professionals Day (Nov. 17)
» Mickey Mouse’s Birthday (Nov. 18)
» Great American Smokeout
(Nov. 19)
» Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 25)
» #GivingTuesday (Nov. 30)
Monthlong Events
» Military Family Month
» National Adoption Month
» National Career
Weeklong/Multi-Day Events Development Month
» Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) (Nov 1-2) » National Diabetes Month
» National Fig Week (Nov. 1-7) » National Native American
» National Children’s Book Week (Nov. 8-14) Heritage Month
» Hunger and Homelessness » National Peanut Butter
Awareness Week (Nov. 13-21) Lovers Month
» Geography Awareness Week (Nov. 15-19) » National Pepper Month
» American Education Week (Nov. 15-19) » National Scholarship Month
» National Farm City Week (Nov. 19-25) » Picture Book Month
» Hanukkah (Nov. 28-Dec. 6) » Vegan Month
*Look for more details and ideas about the highlighted items on each month’s companion page. Brought
November 2021 to you
brought to you School
by by Nutition
General ©2018
Mills © 2021
NOVEMBER 2021
a 100,000 rating for its fiery effects. Even “mild” bell peppers
have a very distinctive taste, so you may want to serve
cooked or raw peppers on the side, rather than pre-mixed ently in various regions of the country, but the common
into salads or other dishes. thread is celebrating the victory of good over evil. The
festival features decorating with clay lamps and creating
IDEA design patterns from colored sand, as well as holding feasts
National Career Development Month
WHAT
and fireworks. Decorate your cafeteria with LED candles and
As schools host activities to encourage students and adults Hunger and Homelessness
consider serving a menu with simple Indian dishes, such as
to explore career options that reflect their interests and skills, Awareness Week (Nov. 13-21)
Butter Chicken, Chicken Masala or Naan.
you can promote the benefits of a school nutrition career. Although pandemic-era statistics
are not yet available, the number
Work with counselors and teachers on the best outreach WHAT
to students in culinary arts, health and consumer sciences of individuals facing homeless-
National STEM/STEAM Day (Nov. 8)
classes or programs. Arrange for a table at a career fair. Let ness and hunger is expected to rise this year. You likely are
STEM is a curriculum that focuses
parents know about open positions in your operation, em- already aware of students and families in your community
on education in four fields: science,
phasizing longer-term career growth opportunities. Publish who are living with food insecurity, including some of your
technology, engineering and math,
short profiles of long-time school nutrition staff, focusing on neighbors and even fellow colleagues in the school nutrition
the most rapidly growing industries
how they discovered this career and why they love it. department. This week is a good reminder to raise your
in the U.S. economy. Some schools
antennae to be sure that in all your actions, you are respect-
ful of the dignity and privacy of those who are struggling to now promote STEAM, which adds “Art” to the acronym, as
WHAT a means for ensuring programs are fun and engaging,
National Native American make ends meet—and to encourage others to do the same.
while teaching creativity and critical thinking skills. STEAM
Heritage Month activities that connect to your program might include
There are more than 500 differ-
IDEA
maintaining a hydroponic garden in the cafeteria, coordi-
ent recognized Native Amer- Geography Awareness Week (Nov. 15-21)
nating recipe contests among kids and teaching lessons
ican tribes in the U.S. As you This is a great opportunity to partner with teachers on
on reading nutrition labels and
celebrate the culture of the First cafeteria-classroom projects that connect to lessons about
analyzing nutrients in menus.
Nations, take care not to cause geography, world cultures and American history. Make
offense by working with representatives of groups with roots yourself available to IDEA
in your region. Look to serve authentic dishes or menus— showcase special
National Education Support
explaining modifications for school samplings of dishes
Professionals Day (Nov. 17)
foodservice—and provide properly sourced historic that reflect different
While school cafeteria staff are
information. Start by tapping the education and support global traditions.
considered education support
resources of the National Museum of the American Indian Assign a day to
professionals, this is your opportunity to recognize and thank
at www.americanindian.si.edu. focus on regional
your peers in other departments—especially those that
specialties, from
helped with curbside meal distribution during the pandemic.
FACT clam chowder in
Offer a coupon for one free adult meal or a special treat to
National Pepper Month New England to catfish in the Gulf states to Frito Pie in the
the custodians, drivers, counselors, nurses, aides, monitors,
Chile peppers, black peppercorns Southwest to the many different chili recipes across the
administrative professionals, security officers and other
and sweet bell peppers all count country. As you lead up to Thanksgiving, celebrate all the
partners in the school community.
themselves as members of the many cultures that influence American kitchens today.
pepper family. They are grown all
across the globe and the biggest
WHAT
difference is the level of heat Diwali—The Hindu Festival of Lights (Nov. 4)
they deliver, as measured on the One of the most important holidays in India, Diwali has
Scoville scale. Bell peppers get a become a national festival enjoyed by Hindu and non-Hindu
0 rating, while the habanero earns communities alike. The Diwali story is interpreted differ-
Brought
November 2021 to you
brought to you School
by by Nutition
General ©2018
Mills © 2021
DECEMBER 2021 Root Vegetables and Exotic Fruits Month
Single-Day Events
» Rosa Parks Day (Dec. 1)
» World AIDS Day (Dec. 1)
» Special Education Day
(Dec. 2)
Monthlong Events » International Day of Persons with
» National Impaired Driving Prevention Disabilities (Dec. 3)
Month » National Cookie Day (Dec. 4)
» National Pear Month » International Cheetah Day
» Root Vegetables and Exotic (Dec. 4)
Fruits Month » Christmas Card Day (Dec. 9)
» Safe Toys and Gifts Month » Nobel Prize Day (Dec. 10)
» Universal Human Rights Month » International UNICEF Day
(Dec. 11)
» Gingerbread House Day
(Dec. 12)
» Poinsettia Day (Dec. 12)
» World Choral Day (Dec. 12)
» National Cocoa Day (Dec. 13)
» Bill of Rights Day (Dec. 15)
» National Maple Syrup Day
(Dec. 17)
» National Ugly Christmas
Sweater Day (Dec. 17)
» International Migrants Day
(Dec. 18)
» First Day of Winter/Winter
Solstice (Dec. 21)
» Cookie Exchange Day (Dec. 22)
» Christmas Day (Dec. 25)
» Boxing Day (Dec. 26)
» New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31)
Weeklong/Multi-Day Events
» National Cookie Cutter Week (Dec. 1-7)
» National Handwashing Awareness
Week (Dec. 5-11)
» Kwanzaa (Dec. 26-Jan. 1, 2022)
*Look for more details and ideas about the highlighted items on each month’s companion page. December 2021 brought to you by Federal Industries © 2021DECEMBER 2021
IDEA ● Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds—sing “Happy If different teams across
Root Vegetables and Birthday” two times or work with kids to make up their own the school district are
Exotic Fruits Month handwashing song. competing, be sure to
In between your school versions of ● Remember to make handwashing a healthy habit at home, encourage students to
traditional holiday fare in November work and at play! support their school
and December, take the opportunity cafeteria’s entry!
to menu something a little different. WHAT
Roasting is a delicious—and seasonally appropriate—way to Special Education Day IDEA
serve root vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, beets and (Dec. 2) National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day
rutabaga. Exotic fruits can be purchased in smaller quantities The Individuals with (Dec. 17)
for special sampling events. Consider dragon fruit, chayote, Disabilities Education Tweak the event to spotlight “Ugly
persimmon, pomelo, starfruit and rambutan, all of which are Act (IDEA) requires that Christmas Aprons” and ask your team
tasty and boast a distinctive look! children with physical, mental and learning disabilities be members to find or create a silly or
provided equal access to public education and that parents tacky apron. Students can vote for their
WHAT and educators work together to create an education plan that favorites! Or, give a small treat, maybe
Universal Human Rights Month identifies approaches and accommodations for these a candy cane or gingerbread cookie, to
One of the most important things students. Originally signed in 1975, the law has been every student coming through the serving line wearing an
you can do throughout the course enhanced over the years to improve standards and services. ugly Christmas sweater. Organize a sweater donation drive
UNIVERSAL
HUMAN RIGHTS of this month—and every month—is Recognize the special education teachers and staff in your with some simple publicity and a large box in the cafeteria.
MONTH to find common ground with the school with a thank-you treat, courtesy of the cafeteria. Offer The last week of school is always busy, but you can conduct
people around you. By learning your support in helping students to develop life and social this holiday-themed activity any time this month.
more about others’ values, traditions skills.
and challenges—and by making a WHAT
point to always spread kindness to IDEA Winter Solstice (Dec. 21)
colleagues and students—we are taking the first steps in the Christmas Card Day (Dec. 9) The shortest day of the year in
fight for equality, justice and dignity for all. Learn more about Do you buy new holiday greeting cards the U.S., the winter solstice is
the impetus for this observance, the Universal Declaration of each year, even if you have leftovers marked by the point at which
Human Rights, established by the United Nations after World from previous seasons? Hate to discard the North Pole is at its furthest
War II. Visit www.un.org/en/about-us/universal- the free cards sent with charitable so- from the sun. (Check your noontime shadow—it will be the
declaration-of-human-rights. licitations? You and your coworkers can longest of the year!) Though commonly referred to as the
bring all these extras into the cafeteria First Day of Winter, the meteorologic community has begun
FACT and make them available to students. Encourage the children to push back on this, given the preceding weeks of colder
National Handwashing to select one or more to give to a special someone, like their temperatures, making the distinction between meteorological
Awareness Week (Dec. 5-11) parents or grandparents, a kindly neighbor, the school bus winter (Dec. 1) and the astronomical date of the solstice. But
Living through a pandemic made us driver, a favorite teacher or a best friend. (You may find one with just 9.5 hours—or less—of daylight, everyone can agree
all very good at washing our hands! or more coming back to you!) that it’s a hard day to get up and go to school!
Of course, this is a task that you do
often in a school kitchen. Share some fast facts with students IDEA
to help them stay mindful of this important hygiene routine. Gingerbread House Day (Dec. 12)
● Germs can live on your hands for up to three hours. Your cafeteria team can collaborate as a group on a ginger-
● Germs can spread from your hands when you touch bread house or construct individual abodes. Consider
surfaces, objects, foods and drinks and your body. assigning a theme or providing a list of required ingredients
● There are five steps to handwashing: wet, lather, scrub, or elements. Take pictures of the creations and post them on
rinse and dry. social media, asking your followers to vote for their favorites.
Brought
December 2021 brought to to you
you byby School
Federal Nutition©©2018
Industries 2021Single-Day Events
» New Year’s Day (Jan. 1)
JANUARY 2022 National Mentoring Month
» National Spaghetti Day (Jan. 4)
» National Trivia Day (Jan. 4)
» National Bird Day (Jan. 5)
» National Bean Day (Jan. 6)
» National Technology Day (Jan. 6)
» Orthodox Christmas (Jan. 7)
» College Football Playoff National
Championship (Jan. 10)
» National Rubber Ducky Day
(Jan. 13)
» National Sticker Day (Jan. 13)
» Dress Up Your Pet Day (Jan. 14)
» Martin Luther King’s Birthday
(Jan. 17)
» National Popcorn Day (Jan. 19)
» National Cheese Lovers’ Day
(Jan. 20)
» International Day of Education
(Jan. 24) Monthlong Events
» National Compliment Day » Be Kind to Food Servers Month
(Jan. 24) » International Creativity Month
» National Peanut Butter Day » National Blood Donor Month
(Jan. 24)
» National Braille Literacy Month
» National Opposite Day (Jan. 25)
» National Get Organized Month
» National Blueberry Pancake Day
» National Hobby Month
(Jan. 28)
» National Mentoring Month
» Backward Day (Jan. 31)
» National Personal Self-Defense
» National Hot Chocolate Day
Awareness Month
(Jan. 31)
» National Soup Month
» Grammy Awards Ceremony
» Oatmeal Month
(Jan. 31)
» Poverty in America Awareness
Month
Weeklong/Multi-Day Events
» National Pizza Week
(Jan. 9-15)
» National Healthy Weight Week
(Jan. 16-22)
» 2022 Special Olympics World
Winter Games (Jan. 22-28)
*Look for more details and ideas about the highlighted items on each month’s companion page. JanuaryBrought to you to
2022 brought School
by you Nutition©
by Domino’s ©2018
2021JANUARY 2022
FACT great vehicles for vegetables and nutrient-rich proteins, and WHAT
National Blood Donor Month they can be creamy, chunky, brothy, herby, clear and more! National Rubber
Here are some important facts you can Keep a running poll throughout January as you menu different Ducky Day (Jan. 13)
share with colleagues in the school com- types of soup recipes. Which types and varieties do the A tribute to “Sesame Street’s” Ernie and his favorite bath-time
munity, as well as parents, through social students like the most? pal, the rubber ducky (aka duckie) was inducted into the Toy
media and other communications: Hall of Fame in 2013. You can source low-cost, cute, plastic
● Every two seconds, someone is in IDEA duckies—in different colors and “costumes”—to decorate
need of blood. National Pizza Week your serving line and/or give away to lucky tray winners.
● Only 37% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate, but (Jan. 9-15) Remember, even older kids like cute toys!
fewer than 10% actually do so annually. If some students had their
● You cannot get an infectious disease by donating blood. way, this would be a daily IDEA
● One pint of blood can save up to three lives. event! Satisfy their longing National Compliment Day
● Blood drives hosted by schools and other organizations by menuing a pizza option (Jan. 24)
supply roughly half of all blood donations across the every day for one week, Ever notice how easy it is to share a
country. making each day unique. complaint when something doesn’t
● Blood donation takes about one hour of your time; most of For example, poll students earlier in the year about their favor- meet our needs or expectations? If
that is screening and paperwork! ite topping(s) and kick off the week by menuing the winner. A only compliments were as frequent!
Consider being a link between the principal and a local blood similar competition could be held to celebrate a favorite shape They say that any new behavior
center to use the cafeteria and host an evening or weekend (triangle, round, rectangle). Veggie toppings could be the takes at least 21 repetitions. Start today to make a point to
donation drive. focus of a third day. Swap traditional marinara one day give at least three compliments each day: one to a family
for either BBQ, Sriracha or Ranch (white) pizza. Make a member or friend, one to a coworker or student and one to an
IDEA geographic game of offering Chicago, New York, Neapolitan acquaintance or stranger. Track your progress, exceed your
National Mentoring Month (Naples) and Detroit-style pizzas. Let members of the student goal and watch as compliments come back to you! Encourage
Being a mentor to a student or government develop the definitive school pizza. students and coworkers to do the same.
someone early in their career
can be a profoundly rewarding WHAT IDEA
relationship that allows you National Bean Day Backward Day (Jan. 31)
to help shape the direction of (Jan. 6) How many safe ways can you cele-
another person’s life choices. There are formal and informal Did you know there brate Backward Day to engage the
ways to build this connection, from involvement as a Big are some 40,000 attention of your customers? Serve
Sister/Big Brother or Scout leader to assisting with afterschool varieties of beans? lunch items at breakfast and breakfast favorites for lunch.
tutoring or scheduling a standing coffee-and-conversation The observance date Create signage with everything written in reverse. If you have
date. This is the month to explore how you might take on of January 6 is thought the flexibility with your serving line, move cashiers to the
this role, as well as encourage others to do the same. And if to commemorate traditional entrance and have kids enter through the exit.
you’ve benefitted from a mentor’s interest in you, take time the death of plant geneticist Gregor Mendel in 1884, who Change your customary greeting to “Good-bye” or “Toodle-
this month to send a thank-you note or give a tagged public used bean and pea plants to test his theories. By 1863, he doo!” Wear visors, ball caps and shirts backward. Switch it up!
shout-out on social media. had tested over 28,000 plants and found that crossbreeding
different types created new types of plants, beans and pods.
WHAT Beans are an important, but challenging required element in
National Soup Month school meal planning. Use this day to help kids engage in fun
Now in the deep midwinter, ways, such as guessing the number of dry beans in a glass jar
soup reliably provides hearty or completing activity sheets about some of the most common
warmth and comfort. They are varieties.
JanuaryBrought to you to
2022 brought School
by you Nutition©
by Domino’s ©2018
2021FEBRUARY 2022 Children’s Dental Health Month
Monthlong Events
» American Heart Month
» Black History Month
» Canned Food Month
» National Bake for Family Fun Month
» National Cherry Month
» National Children’s Dental Health Month
» National Grapefruit Month
» National Hot Breakfast Month
» National Library Lover’s Month
» National Snack Food Month
Weeklong/Multi-Day Events
» Winter Olympics (Feb. 4-20)
» National Burn Awareness Week
(Feb. 6-12)
» National School Counseling Week
(Feb. 7-11)
» Pride in Foodservice Week (Feb. 7-11)
» National FFA Week (Feb. 19-26)
» National Eating Disorder
Awareness Week (Feb. 21-27)
Single-Day Events » World Pulses Day (Feb. 10)
» Chinese New Year—Year of the Tiger
» National Inventors Day (Feb. 11)
(Feb. 1)
» Super Bowl LVI (Feb. 13)
» National Freedom Day (Feb. 1)
» Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14)
» Groundhog Day (Feb. 2)
» Random Acts of Kindness Day (Feb. 17)
» National Tater Tot Day (Feb. 2)
» No One Eats Alone Day (Feb. 18)
» World Read Aloud Day (Feb. 2)
» Daytona 500 (Feb. 20)
» National Wear Red Day (Feb. 4)
» Presidents’ Day (Feb. 21)
» National Boy Scouts Day (Feb. 8)
» National Toast Day (Feb. 24)
» National Pizza Day (Feb. 9)
*Look for more details and ideas about the highlighted items on each month’s companion page. Brought
February 2022 brought School
to youtobyyou Nutition
by Jack ©2018
Link’s © 2021FEBRUARY 2022
IDEA for all outdoor events, as the city gets very little of the white independent—active, but proceeds
National Hot Breakfast Month stuff most winters. with caution. People born in the
This is a great opportunity to get Year of the Tiger are said to have
student customers primed for FACT a similar personality. But once
next month’s National School National Eating Disorders they speak out or take action, they have
Breakfast Week (NSBW) celebration. Plan to test some new Awareness Week (Feb. 21-27) no regrets. They also never give up halfway to the goal.
hot breakfast recipes and encourage your customers to vote With eating disorders affecting Chinese New Year is a great occasion for a promotion with
for their favorite(s) to be featured prominently during NSBW. 20 million women and 10 million bright, colorful decorations and tasty Asian dishes.
Hot breakfast can be eaten with a fork (huevos rancheros), men in the U.S., it’s good to build
a spoon (oatmeal) and with your hands (sausage biscuit awareness about these troubling medical conditions. IDEA
sandwich). Diners often perceive a hot breakfast to be more » Families are not to blame and eating disorders are not National Inventors Day
filling and satisfying than cold options, so make sure they are choices, but mental and physical illnesses. A growing (Feb. 11)
a part of your cycle menus! consensus suggests that they are caused by a range of Observed on the anniversary
biological, psychological and sociocultural factors. of the birth of Thomas Edison,
WHAT » Eating disorders affect people of all genders, ages, races, National Inventors Day celebrates
National Snack Food Month ethnicities, body shapes, weights, sexual orientations, the innovators who are continually
Snacks often get a bad rap as indulgent religions and socioeconomic statuses. thinking of fresh, original solutions
treats with few nutritional benefits, but » An eating disorder diagnosis is a health crisis. to problems and about how to make things better, faster, less
in school cafeterias, the Smart Snacks » Full recovery from an eating disorder is possible, expensive, more efficient and more reliable. Invite the inven-
in School rule applies nutrition stan- especially with early detection and intervention. tors among your student customers to suggest their ideas for
dards that help students make healthy choices beyond the Learn more at www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn. a better cafeteria experience or new ways to manage weed-
reimbursable meal. Snacks provide an energy boost between ing/watering in the school garden or classroom meal service.
meals and help to manage hunger. All foods can fit in a IDEA Reward every submitted idea with a lightbulb-shaped eraser!
healthy diet, if attention is paid to balance and proper portion National FFA Week (Feb. 19-26)
sizes. Encourage exploration of new options in different National FFA Organization (formerly IDEA
snack categories, from sweet, salty and savory to creamy, Future Farmers of America) No One Eats Alone Day (Feb. 18)
crunchy and chewy. prepares young people for Reach out to student groups and your
leadership, personal growth and parent-teacher organization to help
FACT career success through agricultural coordinate this peer-driven promotion
Winter Olympic Games education. Members include future chemists, veterinarians, to address social isolation, especially
(Feb. 4-20) policymakers, entrepreneurs, business leaders, teachers in the cafeteria. Visit www.beyond
Sports enthusiasts usually must and, yes, farmers. Do you have a chapter in your schools differences.org/national-awareness-
wait two years between the or district? They are an ideal partner with school nutrition days to sign up to receive program resources, including a
Summer and Winter Olympic teams, whether it’s using harvests and livestock raised by the middle school student leadership unit. Students will learn to
Games, but not this year! Re- students in school meals or agricultural education activities make new friends at lunch beyond their existing peer groups
cords and hearts are both sure or peer-to-peer outreach. Contact the group’s adviser about through activities and conversations and other strategies.
to be broken as new champions planning a joint project for this week. You can find a chapter
rise, while others stumble in their quest for gold. A total of 109 locator tool at www.ffa.org/chapter-locator.
events will be held across seven sports categories: biathlon,
bobsled, curling, ice hockey, luge, skating and skiing (which WHAT
includes snowboarding). Beijing, China, plays host, becoming Chinese New Year—Year of the Tiger (Feb. 1)
the first city to host both the Winter and Summer Games, the 2022 will be the Year of the Tiger, according to the 12-year
latter in 2008. One surprising fact: Artificial snow will be used Chinese zodiac calendar. In the wild, the tiger is brave and
Brought
February 2022 brought School
to youtobyyou Nutition
by Jack ©2018
Link’s © 2021MARCH 2022 Youth Art Month Weeklong/Multi-Day Events
» Winter Paralympics Games (Mar. 4-13)
Monthlong Events »N
ational Foreign Language Week (Mar. 6-12)
» American Red Cross Month » National School Breakfast Week (Mar. 7-11)
» Irish American Heritage Month »N
ational Sleep Awareness Week (Mar. 13-19)
» Music in Our Schools Month » NCAA March Madness (Mar. 15-Apr. 4)
» National Athletic Training » Passover (Mar. 27-Apr.4)
Month
» National Caffeine Awareness
Month
» National Cheerleading Safety
Month
» National Craft Month
» National Ethics Awareness
Month
» National Noodle Month
» National Nutrition Month
» National Peanut Month
» Women’s History Month
» Youth Art Month
Single-Day Events » National Meatball Day (Mar. 9) »S
pring Equinox—First Day of Spring (Mar. 20)
» Birthday of Peace Corps (Mar. 1)
» Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day (Mar. 9) »W
orld Flour Day (Mar. 20)
» Mardi Gras (Mar. 1)
» Girl Scouts of America Anniversary (Mar. 12) »N
ational Ag Day (Mar. 22)
» Dr. Seuss’ Birthday (Mar. 2)
» Daylight Savings Time Begins (Mar. 13) » World Water Day (Mar. 22)
» Read Across America Day (Mar. 2)
» Pi Day (Mar. 14) » 9 4th Academy Awards (Mar. 27)
» National Grammar Day (Mar. 4)
» Ides of March (Mar. 15) »M ajor League Baseball Opening Day (Mar. 31)
» Holi (Mar. 8)
» St. Patrick’s Day (Mar. 17)
» International Women’s Day (Mar. 8)
*Look for more details and ideas about the highlighted items on each month’s companion page. Broughttotoyou
March 2022 brought youby SchoolNutrition
bySchool Nutition ©
©2018
2021MARCH 2022
IDEA engage students in identifying favorite breakfast and lunch believing in our limitless potential.
National Athletic Training Month menu items. You can create a fun game with as few as eight Read Across America, sponsored
This a great opportunity for outreach to “competitors,” pitting, say, French toast against pancakes by the National Education Associ-
the phys ed instructors, coaches and or cold cereal against hot oatmeal to determine the school’s ation, celebrates the legacy of Dr.
trainers in your school district to help top pick. Seuss. Each year, the program
raise awareness among students about features a monthly calendar of
the importance of good nutrition in athletic WHAT recommended titles (one each
performance. They can become valuable Winter Paralympics Games (Mar. 4-13) for elementary, middle grade and young adult students)
allies and advocates of your school meal program if they The athletes competing in the Paralympic that can be tied into school activities—including cafeteria
understand the advantages offered to athletes of all ages. Games every four years are even more promotions. You can find the complete SY2021-22 list at
Market the attributes of individual foods and the entire meal, inspiring than their peers in the Olympics, www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/
from high-protein items that provide “Strength” to carbohy- overcoming physical impairments to read-across-america/2021-2022-calendar.
drates that deliver “Endurance” and the mix of nutrient-dense perform with jaw-dropping excellence.
fruits and vegetables that are considered “Power” foods. The Games, held in Beijing, China, will WHAT
feature 78 events in six sports: Alpine ski- Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day
IDEA ing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, para (Mar. 9)
Women’s History ice hockey, snowboarding and wheelchair School nutrition professionals who
Month curling (which will feature mix-gender demonstrate a high level of knowledge
This observance is teams). More than 700 athletes are and expertise in their field can qualify
a wonderful occa- expected to participate. Use the internet to get to know more for the School Nutrition Specialist
sion to uncover the about the competitors’ stories and share highlights with your (SNS) credential through SNA.
almost-lost-to-history students to encourage them to never lose faith in their own Similarly, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics offers
contributions of amazing women in every aspect of human abilities. a program to earn designation as a Registered Dietitian
progress. There are many ways you can share their stories. Nutritionist (RDN). RDNs are respected advocates for
One is to identify a theme, such as famous women in food WHAT advancing the nutrition status of Americans and experts who
and agriculture, profiling a different leader each week during National School Breakfast can translate the science of nutrition into practical solutions.
the month. Examples might include iconic chef Julia Child, Week (Mar. 7-11) If your school nutrition team includes RDNs (or Nutrition and
livestock welfare advocate Temple Grandin, farm-to-table This year’s theme is designed Dietetics Technicians, Registered [NDTRs]), promote their
pioneer Alice Waters and SNA’s own Shirley Watkins, the to help you leverage our expertise as further validation of the healthy meals you serve
first woman and person of color to serve as Undersecretary collective fascination with every day.
for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services at USDA. See superheroes who fly into action and are always ready for the
where a little research will take you! next new challenge. They exude energy and enthusiasm and FACT
are capable of great things. Doesn’t that describe Amer- World Water Day (Mar. 22)
IDEA ica’s kids when they start their day with a healthy school Droughts, wildfires, floods. The
NCAA March Madness breakfast? Resources to help you develop a super-duper extremes of climate change play
(Mar. 15-Apr. 4) celebration will be available at www.schoolnutrition.org/nsbw out in a worsening global water
Unlike many professional sports, in late Fall 2021. crisis. Water is essential to our
in which championships are determined food supply—and critical for human
across five to seven games in a series, the thrill of college’s WHAT health and well-being. Today, there are 2.2
annual basketball tournaments (the women’s competition Dr. Seuss’ Birthday & Read Across America Day (Mar. 2) billion people without access to clean, safe water. School
runs Mar. 18-Apr. 3) are the one-and-done matches among You can read them on a couch. You can read them when cafeteria teams can help raise student awareness during this
the 64+ teams selected to compete. The fun of the “Mad- you slouch. You could read them with a bear. You could read observance, sponsored by the United Nations. Visit www.
ness” is trying to predict the results across “brackets” for them anywhere! Dr. Seuss taught readers of all ages import- worldwaterday.org to access a toolkit and view the archives
each round of play. These brackets are easily adapted to ant lessons on the environment, kindness and from previous years’ events.
Broughttotoyou
March 2022 brought youby SchoolNutrition
bySchool Nutition ©
©2018
2021APRIL 2022 National Garden Month Monthlong Events
» Arab American Heritage
» National Humor Month
» National Kite Month
Month
» National Poetry Month
» Global Astronomy Month
» National Soyfoods Month
» International Guitar Month
» National Volunteer Month
» Jazz Appreciation Month
»N ational Youth Sports Safety
» Keep America Beautiful
Month
Month
» School Library Month
» National Child Abuse
Prevention Month »S cottish American Heritage
Month
» National Garden Month
» Stress Awareness Month
» National Grilled Cheese
Month » World Autism Month
Single-Day Events
» April Fool’s Day (Apr. 1)
» National Sourdough Bread Day (Apr. 1)
» Hans Christian Andersen’s Birthday (Apr. 2)
» International Children’s Book Day (Apr. 2)
» Ramadan Begins (Apr. 2)
» International Carrot Day (Apr. 4)
» National School Librarian Day (Apr. 4)
» National Student Athlete Day (Apr. 6)
» National Walking Day (Apr. 6)
» National Burrito Day (Apr. 7)
» World Health Day (Apr. 7)
» National Pet Day (Apr. 11)
» National Dolphin Day (Apr. 14)
» ASL Day (Apr. 15)
» Passover Begins (Apr. 15)
» Tax Day (Apr. 15)
» Easter (Apr. 17)
» National Garlic Day (Apr. 19)
» National Banana Day (Apr. 20)
» Kindergarten Day (Apr. 21)
» World Creativity and Innovation Day (Apr. 21)
Weeklong/Multi-Day Events » Earth Day (Apr. 22)
» National Wildlife Week (Apr. 4-8) » Shakespeare’s Birthday (Apr. 23)
» National Student Employment Week (Apr. 11-17) » World Penguin Day (Apr. 25)
» Administrative Professionals Week (Apr. 24-30) » Administrative Professionals Day (Apr. 27)
» World Immunization Week (Apr. 24-30) » International Dance Day (Apr. 29)
» National Arbor Day (Apr. 29)
*Look for more details and ideas about the highlighted items on each month’s companion page. Broughttotoyou
April 2022 brought SchoolNutrition
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2021APRIL 2022
IDEA and engaging activities. Consider focusing on the wildlife of »C
arrots count as an orange/red vegetable in the nutrition
National Humor Month five different geographic areas that week. For example: the standards for school meal programs, but they actually
It’s time to get punny about school stealthy jaguar or endearing sloth of the Amazonian rain- come in many colors, including purple, white and yellow.
meals! Whether you want to Turnip forest, the majestic elephants and giraffes of the spacious
the Beet, tell your customers they grasslands of the African savanna, the penguin colonies and IDEA
are One in a Melon or that they other sea life of Antarctica, the leaping kangaroos and striking National Pet Day (Apr. 11)
have a Pizza Your Heart, let’s Taco frilled-neck lizards of Australia’s outback and the bears, bison Pets can be the bridge that turns
‘Bout how effective food puns can and wolves of the Rocky Mountains. Kids can also learn strangers into friends. Ask your school
be in using gentle humor and word about the wildlife in their own backyards at www.nwf.org. nutrition team to share photos of them-
play to engage kids and adults selves with their beloved pet compan-
alike. There’s no end to the clever and silly puns you can find WHAT ions that you can post on social media
in a quick internet search—the delivery is up to you! Create National Student Employment Week and/or as part of signage in the serving area. Be sure to get
a calendar with one pun that you will share on the serving (Apr. 11-17) key details, including the pet’s name, gender, age and breed.
line and/or through social media each day of the month. Ask This observance is a great opportu- Encourage students to share their own pet photos and create
students to submit their own punny entries. SNA has created nity to recognize students who assist a giant collage of these in the dining area.
punny shareable content for social media that its members with meal prep and service in K-12
can download for free! After logging into My Account at school foodservice. Don’t have student FACT
SchoolNutrition.org, click on the following links: Learning employees—yet? Use this observance as a launch pad for National Dolphin Day (Apr. 14)
Center, Communications & Marketing, PR Resources and the potential development of a regular program of student Dolphins fascinate us with their grace
then PR Campaign. employment. It can work as a strategy to manage labor and playfulness. They are highly
shortages, expose culinary students to the challenges and intelligent and very social, plus the
IDEA benefits of working in schools and create another group shape of their face and mouth looks like a perpetually friendly
National Poetry Month that can act as supporters and advocates for the complex smile! There are actually 40 species of dolphins. Dolphins
Poetry slams, song lyrics and raps business of school meals. stay with their mothers for a long time—up to eight years, and
are all great ways to engage youth in they are nurturing toward sick or injured animals in their pod,
appreciating this art form. Consider FACT even when those pods have up to 1,000 dolphins! They have
inviting a creative writing class or oth- International Carrot Day two stomachs! One is for digestion and the other is to store
er student group to write poems or songs with a connection (Apr. 4) food. Celebrate Dolphin Day with a simple banana-and-fruit
to the cafeteria. It could be an ode to a favorite food, a poem Carrots may seem as familiar as cup (pictured).
about a meaningful experience bonding with friends or being Bugs Bunny, but we have some
uplifted by cafeteria staff or a rap about health and nutrition. fast facts that may be new to IDEA
If, for example, you are working with a high school class you—and to your students. International Dance Day (Apr. 29)
exploring performance-style pieces, you might arrange for the » Cultivated carrots are believed to have come on the scene Dance is a great way to give your body the benefits of some
class or group to visit an elementary school during lunch and in the area known today as Afghanistan back in 900 AD. physical activity, clearing the mind of stress and anxiety.
perform their work for their younger peers. After spreading throughout the Middle East and North Schedule unannounced surprise dance breaks during each
Africa, they traveled to Spain and were popping up lunch period. Blast some music through speakers set up in
IDEA throughout Europe by the 1300s. the dining area and have your team and lunchroom monitors
National Wildlife Week (Apr. 4-8) » There may be just two basic categories—domestic and encourage all the kids to get on their feet
You may have a lot of great unused ideas—and wild—but these feature more varieties than you can count and shake their groove thing! Maybe it’s
materials—left from your 2021 National School on two hands. freestyle, maybe you lead an impromptu
Lunch Week celebration, “WILD About School » Baby carrots aren’t grown that way. They are either conga line or teach everyone the Hokey
Lunch!” Six months later is the perfect occasion immature carrots that have been harvested before reaching Pokey. Keep it short and fun and throw
to resurrect this popular animal-based theme, full size or they are cut from larger carrots, peeling and away any sense of self-consciousness!
with colorful decorations, fun menu names chopping away any blemishes.
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April 2022 brought to you
you by School Nutrition
by School Nutition ©2018
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