How Good Lunch Programs Help with Private School Recruitment

When parents choose a private school, they want what’s best for their children. They look for an environment that promotes academic excellence, supports social development, and builds physical well-being. Offering a top-notch school lunch program alongside a high quality education and faculty can make your private school more attractive to parents and encourage families to stay year after year.

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In this blog, we’ll explore how school lunch programs improve school recruitment and retention, why serving fresh, quality food matters, and what you can do to ensure your lunch program excels.

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Why school lunch programs matter for private schools

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A positive school experience goes beyond just academics and activities. What students eat at school significantly affects their energy, focus and performance. Poor-quality, unhealthy meals can lead to low energy, poor concentration, and lower academic and extracurricular performance.

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On the other hand, providing nutritious, tasty meals boosts student behavior, participation, and performance. These contribute to a great overall school experience—something parents look for when evaluating schools.

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For private schools, where tuition is often higher, parents expect an exceptional overall experience, including meal quality. A well-executed lunch program can bring higher satisfaction not just among your students but also their parents, which improves retention and recruitment.

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How quality lunch programs impact private school recruitment

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Here are a few ways a good lunch program can positively affect enrollment:

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Commitment to student well-being

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Offering nutritious school meals shows parents that you prioritize their children’s overall well-being, not just academics. Catering to allergies and dietary restrictions further demonstrates your dedication to individual care, which can be a major factor for families requiring special meals.

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Alignment with family values

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Parents appreciate knowing their kids are eating healthy, delicious meals even outside their homes. A good school lunch program ensures their children are in capable hands. A good school lunch program that takes into account kids’ dietary restrictions, offers allergen-free options, and provides both diverse and familiar cuisines for students ensures families keep eating at your school.

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Fostering a positive school culture

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Quality school lunch programs contribute to a nurturing school environment. When students feel heard and catered to through thoughtful meal options, it fosters a culture of gratitude and support. It’s an important factor that potential students and parents appreciate in evaluating schools.

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Access and affordability

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A flexible, affordable school lunch program makes your school more attractive for families considering private school costs. Knowing that food isn’t incredibly expensive or may be eligible for government subsidies can put parents at ease, and make them more likely to choose your school.

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What to look for in a school lunch program

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Not all school lunch programs are equal. What should you consider when creating one? We’ve broken them down for you below:

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Quality of food

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An excellent lunch program requires high-quality, fresh school meals made from scratch every day—no microwaved, deep-fried or reheated dishes. Aside from meeting USDA nutritional standards, they must be delicious and catered for young kids’ picky palates.

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Sustainable practices

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School lunch programs can cause massive food waste, with many students being picky eaters. To reduce this, implement sustainable practices in your lunch program, such as portion control, careful menu planning, and mindful sourcing. Eco-conscious parents will especially appreciate this effort.

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Flexibility and inclusivity

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Students have different tastes, preferences, and dietary restrictions. Make sure you consider them when planning your lunch program. At Ordo, we prepare inclusive meals, ensuring all students are satisfied without compromising on taste or dietary needs.

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Transparency and communication

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Keep parents and staff informed by clearly communicating meal plans, pricing, and other important details. This ensures streamlined operations, customer satisfaction, and smooth administrative work. It’s especially crucial for schools participating in federal school lunch programs, where monthly reimbursement records must be updated.

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Ordo provides healthy school meals for private schools

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Running a school lunch program is no easy feat. It takes extensive planning, strict management, and flawless execution for hundreds of students every day. Ordo can help by providing fresh, homemade meals made from scratch, ensuring your school lunch program supports student well-being and strengthens your school’s appeal to families.

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Ordo has become the fastest-growing school food program in America, providing fresh meals made from scratch every day in our kitchens. Our chefs focus on cooking homestyle food that’s both nutritious and what students love.

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Students and parents can place their orders through their ordering app and choose from seasonal menus with 4 to 6 different options daily like Tex Mex Crunch Salad with Creamy Lime Dressing or Chicken Bacon Wrap with Pretzels, Carrots & Ranch.

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Our online platform automates compliance paperwork for reimbursable meals, tracks important metrics like daily participation rate, and handles all payment and order processing. Ordo offers both vended meal service where we deliver the food every day and onsite food service management with our chefs preparing food on campus.

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We have served all types of schools, from preschools and daycare centers to private and public schools. We’ve worked with some of the top private education institutions in the country, including Hudson Montessori in Ohio, Northshore Christian Academy in Washington, the French-American School of New York, and more.

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If you’re interested in providing fresh, healthy food for your school, you can reach out to the school partnerships team here.