WINNING OVER SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Ron Adams, SNSDirector of Food ServicesPortland Public Schools, ME
Marla Caplon, RD, LDDirector of Food and Nutrition ServicesMontgomery County Public Schools
March 2, 2014
Portland Maine Public Schools
Largest district in Maine, 7,000 students, 1,243 staff
16 school buildings, 2 island schools, 3 contract sites
2 full service kitchens, 5 satellite kitchens, 1 central kitchen, 9 schools no kitchen at all
Maine’s most diverse population 51% Free, 2% Reduced meal eligible $3M Budget: $1.4M Food
Portland High School
East End Community School Satellite Kitchen
WHAT WE DO… 50 regular staff plus 6 substitutes 11 school gardens USDA Farm to School Grant 2012 Maine Harvest Lunch Week PK-12 50,000# produce, 14,000# protein in
2013 Local Lunch every Thursday for 2014 Mayor’s Initiative-triple our local
spending from 10 to 30% plus dairy for 50% local!
LOCAL LUNCH THURSDAYS
MAKE FRIENDS FAST School Health Coordinator Public Health Health Advocates SNA network and state SNA Superintendent and Board of Education City Hall and Finance Department Hunger groups, food bank, soup kitchen Share Our Strength State and National Legislators
FRIENDS LED TO CDC $$ Regional public health application to
transform the food service program with stimulus funding.
Updated ten satellite kitchens Passed tough Wellness Policy Trained staff, boosted local fresh foods Over $400,000 invested in equipment,
staff and training
Equipment $ Training $
MAINE SNA FRIENDS
KNOW YOUR NUMBERS
USE THIS FOR LEVERAGE
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012$0
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
$600,000
$700,000
$800,000
CITY SUBSIDY
FOR A NEW CENTRAL KITCHEN 18,000 SQUARE FEET
AND THIS, AND MORE!
HUNGER ALLIES
Montgomery County Public Schools
16th Largest School System in the United
States
202 schools
Student Population 151,289
Official FARMS 34.27%
Programs
Breakfast and Lunch Universal breakfast in 52 schools Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program After school snack program After school supper program Summer Food Service Program Commodity Program Child and Adult Care Food Program Catering
Board of Education/Superintendent
Make yourself known!!
Tout your programs!!
Provide a service!!
Principals
Top priority!!
Be a proven resource!
Develop relationships!
School staff
They know it all…. So win them over!
School staff, continued
Attend staff meetingsBring samples!
Parents
PTA meetings – get on the agenda
Bring samples
Attend back to school night
Be transparent
Listen
Parents and community
Be transparent and honest
Be present
Educate, educate, educate
Listen
