Summary
A practical K–12 checklist to help schools improve communication about school meals, nutrition, food safety, and parent engagement.
Parents often have questions about school meals like what’s being served, how food is prepared, and how safety and nutrition are handled. When those questions are unanswered, skepticism can grow.
To help schools address this, we created a practical checklist focused on communication and parent engagement in K–12 foodservice programs.
What this checklist is for
This checklist is designed to help schools review how they:
- Share information about ingredients, nutrition, and menus
- Show what happens in the kitchen and how food is prepared
- Engage parents through events, tours, and clear communication
- Address common questions and misconceptions
- Highlight the role of equipment and clean, organized kitchens
- Maintain ongoing communication with families over time
It’s intended as a reference tool schools can use when evaluating current practices or planning updates.
How to use it
The checklist can support internal discussions, communication planning, or coordination between foodservice, operations, and administration. Schools can work through it at their own pace and focus on the areas most relevant to their community.
Download the checklist here
