Designing and Financing Your Food Service Facility to Support Healthy Eating

1. Designing and Financing Your Food Service Facility to Support Healthy Eating Phyllis Bramson-Paul, Kathleen Moore, Director, Nutrition Services Division Director, Facilities Planning Division CSBA December 4, 2008

2. Healthy Children Ready to Learn “Physical health affects learning and schools have a role to play in developing lifelong habits of nutrition and fitness. It is time to support a culture of health and fitness in our schools.” —2005 State of Education address by Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell

3. Research Findings • Healthy, active, and well-nourished children and youths are more likely to attend school and are more prepared and motivated to learn • Center on Hunger, Poverty, and Nutrition Policy. The Link Between Nutrition and Cognitive Development in Children, Policy Statement. Medford, MA: Tufts University School of Nutrition Science and Policy, 1994.

4. An Overview • Food Services policy/program issues • Food Services Best Practices – Facilities solutions

5. Development of document • Public input • State/public agencies • Physical education teachers • Registered dieticians • District planners

6. Common Challenges • Land unavailable/expensive • Facilities too small for current enrollment • Delivery methods changed • Money

7. Food Service Facilities Solutions • Create identity for the cafeteria • Develop relationships • Improve efficiency of delivery methods • Maximizing impact of money spent

8. School meals are the most nutritious choice for students

9. Historical Trend: more snacks, fewer meals • Insufficient reimbursement rates • Emphasis on a la carte sales • Built environment • Time crunch

10. Recent California Initiatives • Nutrition standards for food & beverages • More fruits and vegetables at breakfast • No foods with artificial trans fats • No deep fried, par fried, or flash fried foods • $0.05 increase in state reimbursement

11. What does this mean? • Need for improved operations and delivery methods: • Higher quality food • Upgraded kitchens • Updated serving methods • Attractive eating areas

12. Facilities’ Role in the Fight Against Childhood Obesity • Participation = Better Overall Nutrition = Overall Academic Results • Maximize Participation in the School Breakfast/Lunch Program Through Design and Innovation

13. Facilities’ Role in the Fight Against Childhood Obesity Governor’s Obesity Prevention Plan • Promote appropriate design and land uses that support access to healthy foods • Planners as health officials

14. If you build it, they will come! • Attractive environment • Quick service • Tables and seating

15. California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Section 14030(k) Auxiliary Areas “Multipurpose/cafeteria area shall be adequately sized and flexibly designed to protect students from the elements and to allow all students adequate eating time during each lunch period...”

16. School Facilities Planning Division Recommendations • Design spaces based on master plan capacity, not current project plan • Ensure multi-purpose or cafeteria maximum occupancy can meet lunch crowd capacity

17. Ten Best Practices – Food Services

18. 1. Develop Inclusive Planning Processes with the End User

19. 2. Create Attractive Environments to Increase Student Participation in the School Lunch Program Before After

20. Before

21. After

22. Compton Unified School District

24. 3. Install Signage

25. 4. Create Healthy, Convenient Food Options and Point of Sale Point-of-sale devices enable food lines to move faster

26. 5.Accommodate Growth on Existing Campuses Food carts around the campus of Monroe High School accommodate more students during lunch

27. 6. Celebrate Locally Grown/Student-Grown Produce

28. 7. Create a Parent Resource Center

29. 8. Install Seating Areas for Students

31. Before

32. After

33. 9. Secure Funds from Unconventional Sources

34. 10. Collaborate with Local Businesses

35. Case Study: Moreno Valley Unified School District • Renovated 6 Middle School Cafeterias • Scope of Project • Cost • Funding • Return on Investment: 25%

36. Sources of School Facilities Funding – including Food Service • Williams’ Emergency Repair Program • State Allocation Board (SAB) Modernization Program • SAB New Construction Program • SAB Career Technical Education Facilities Program • SAB Overcrowded Relief Program

37. Williams Emergency Repair Program • Deciles 1-3 schools eligible • No local funding match required • Funding to repair building systems and structural components that pose health and safety threat • Eligible: Non functioning kitchen equipment – refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, lunch tables (if attached) • $800 million total, $130.7 million currently available

38. Modernization Program • Eligibility based on either number of students at school or square footage • Facilities must be over 25 years old • Cost per pupil allowance – “60/40 state/local” • Funds may be expended on facility improvements and furniture and equipment • Declining enrollment districts could still qualify depending upon eligibility determined above • $2.1 billion remaining

39. New Construction Program • District must have “unhoused” student eligibility • Per pupil funding – “50-50” state/local share • Funds may be expended on new facility construction and furniture and equipment • Generally declining enrollment districts do not qualify with some exceptions • $712 million remaining

40. Overcrowded Relief Program • Intent to reduce portable classrooms and replace with permanent construction • Must be a site with population density 175 percent of the California Department of Education (CDE) recommended • Funds may be spent on new construction and equipment • $960 million – available

41. Career Technical Facilities Program • New Program – 50/50 State/Local Funding • No “unhoused” requirement • CDE grant approval/SAB funding approval • 15 Career Technical Education (CTE) Sectors including Hospitality, Tourism, and Recreation Industry Sector • Two Food Service Pathways • 53 applications received, all with food service components • $500 million was available. The Second Round of CTE funding will be presented at the December SAB meeting. It is anticipated that all the funds will be exhausted.

42. Questions? • Technical Assistance? • Regional Facilities Consultants • http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/fa/sf/field.asp