Here are some tips and menu ideas to consider as the school year winds down and you look forward to a smooth transition into summer break and the 2015-16 school year. Thanks to Ann Brotherson, a Food Program Consultant with the Iowa Association for Educational Purchasing (IAEP), for collaborating with us to provide several of these great tips.
Tips
-Incorporate remaining inventory into menus.
-Add a few cook’s choice days to use up inventory.
-Take into account the influx of end-of-year field trips and picnic lunches to plan sack lunches that can use up inventory.
-Give different classrooms items left on hand for snacks.
-Discount a la carte chips, etc. that will be outdated by the next school year.
-The last day of the school year, put whatever supplies you can in the freezer to save for the next year.
-If you participate in Net Off Invoice (NOI), be sure to use up all of your available dollars before summer.
-Try to keep orders to only menu items needed for service.
-Check up on equipment and supplies to see what needs to be serviced, replaced or restocked, including large equipment, small wares and chemicals, to help make for a smooth start to the 2015-16 school year.
Menu Ideas
-Use General Mills Yoplait® ParfaitPro® Low Fat Vanilla (904760) or Strawberry (904750) Yogurt to create parfaits or a parfait bar and use up your cereal and fruits at the same time.
-Rich’s Whole Grain Rich Oven Fired Flatbread (906630) and Catallia S.M.A.R.T. 100% Whole Wheat Pressed Flour Tortillas (951880) are great, versatile items to have on hand to help use up your inventory of meats, cheeses and more.
-Grab and go products come in handy for end-of-year field trips and picnic lunches. Some ideas are:
Rich’s Ultimate Breakfast Round® (UBR®) (992478)
General Mills Pillsbury™ Mini Bagels with Creamy Cheese – Cinnamon (963990), Strawberry (964000)
Ruffles® Oven Baked Cheddar & Sour Cream Chips (609740)
Best Maid Smart Grains 51 Individually Wrapped Cookies – 1 oz Chocolate Chip (952450), 1 oz Chocolate Chip with M&M’s (952460), 1.75 oz Chocolate Chip (952880), 1.75 oz Chocolate Chip with M&M’s (952890)
