Salad Bars to Schools is a national campaign with the goal of getting a free salad bar in every school that wants one.
Salad Bars to Schools makes it easy for schools to connect with donors looking to fund a salad bar without any of the usual fundraising challenges. Salad Bars to Schools also helps donors connect not only to their school of choice, but also to schools that are prepared and enthusiastic to add a salad bar.
Why all the buzz about salad bars?
- Kids eat more fruits and vegetables when they have options. Since most children are not eating enough fruits and vegetables, this is a great opportunity to help them meet their nutritional needs.
- School meal participation tends to increase when school lunch programs have a salad bar, which could mean more money for school nutrition programs.
- Plate waste decreases when students are allowed to choose what they are going to eat.
- Salad bars are an easy way for schools to meet the new USDA nutrition standards for school meals that emphasize serving more dark green, red and orange vegetables every week.
- Salad bars can help schools meet the Healthier US Schools Challenge (HUSSC) criteria.
- Finally, salad bars are a perfect place to showcase fresh foods from your local farmer.
Be part of the salad bar movement!
Salad Bars to Schools is a national campaign to connect donors and schools with the goal of giving away free salad bars. All schools - both public and private - that participate in the National School Lunch Program are eligible.
Across the country communities are working to improve children’s nutrition by helping bring salad bars to schools. Salad Bars to Schools offers local businesses and other organizations the option of donating to a general fund or to donate all or part of the cost of a salad bar to the school of their choice. Salad Bars to Schools then matches schools to donors.
To receive a salad bar, schools or school districts complete an online application at Salad Bars to Schools. Signatures of your Superintendent and Nutrition Services Director are required. You may apply to receive a salad bar for every school in your district or for individual schools. Schools who have received the HealthierUS School Challenge Bronze, Silver or Gold distinction have higher priority for getting their salad bar.
How can I help my local school get a salad bar?
Every child deserves to have a choice of healthy fruits and vegetables every day at school. In Missouri, most schools do not have the resources to purchase the equipment that makes this possible, but businesses and individuals across the state are stepping up to the challenge.
Salad Bars to Schools does the work for you. Only schools that have demonstrated a commitment to put the salad bar to use will be granted a salad bar.
Visit Salad Bars to Schools and select “Donate Now” at the top of the page. You have the option to donate to the general Salad Bars to Schools fund, or you can search for schools in your area. If you do not see your school/school district on the list, encourage them to apply today.
One salad bar is $2500, which covers all equipment needed to use the salad bar, including utensils, containers and cutting boards, as well as shipping costs. Consider the impact: When a school that serves 800 students uses this salad bar just one day a week, 28,800 meals per school year are served. If all 800 students use the salad bar, that is only $0.09 per meal. Over three years, that is only $0.03 per meal!
Contact
SPAN ECE Strategy Lead
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
PO Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570
Phone: 573-522-2820
Email: MoveSmart@health.mo.gov