Posted by Middleby Nov 8, 2024 9:30 AM

Top School Cafeteria Equipment to Enhance Snack Time Experience

Food is fuel for learning. In many cases, students only receive one full meal per day while in school. This can lead to a lack of energy and focus needed to excel in the classroom, and snacks can be an important tool for school nutrition directors to combat this issue.

To start, it’s important to understand the demographic most associated with snacking. While younger consumers drive this sector, recent studies reveal that more than two-thirds of K-12 students have maintained or decreased their participation in school snack programs. This is a perfect opportunity for school nutrition directors to provide different snacks to students, especially considering that 90 percent of the snacks consumed in schools come from home.

Things to Consider When Serving Snacks in Schools

If it’s well documented that students enjoy snacks, the critical consideration becomes where they get them during school hours. According to Technomic, over half of K-12 students prefer bringing snacks from home rather than purchasing them at school. There could be various reasons for this, but lack of variety is at the top of the list. This is the first point of emphasis for school nutrition directors.

The varying eating habits among grade levels should also be considered. For example, K-8 students snack more during the late morning and early parts of the day, while high school students snack more frequently in the late afternoon or after school. Nutrition directors should adjust service times accordingly. Staggering service times when serving a student body with a wide age range is key.

Research from the School Nutrition Association shows that children receive their healthiest meals at school. Meal programs are crucial in supporting obesity prevention, overall student health, and academic achievement by improving children’s diets and combating hunger. Yes, they’re important, but they also come with challenges that can be solved, in part, by school cafeteria equipment.

Comparing Pre-Packaged Snacks with Scratch-Cooked School Snacks

A recent survey of Smart Snacks revealed that competitive foods don’t always meet nutrition standards. In fact, an assessment of more than 600 of these typically pre-packaged and individually wrapped snacks shows that they do not satisfy nutrition standards.

By comparison, scratch-cooked and speed-scratch techniques provide school nutrition directors and staff with better control of nutritional values. This results in higher success rates in the classroom and a healthier relationship with food that can last over time. When directors get back to the basics of cooking and avoid the sodium- and sugar-filled packaged snacks, good things happen.

This cooking style requires the support of the right foodservice equipment, of course. It is important to work with vendors who understand and can help deliver these demands.

Important Considerations for Foodservice Cafeteria Equipment in Schools

Today’s school nutrition programs are tight on budgets and short on staff, making school cafeteria equipment selection more important than ever. Whether it’s a walk-in refrigerator or a combi oven, school cafeteria equipment should help solve some of these critical challenges.

Energy efficiency is crucial. It not only reduces operational costs but also aligns with the growing focus on sustainability in educational institutions. Ease of use and labor savings are also significant considerations, as school kitchens often operate with a limited staff. School cafeteria equipment that is intuitive and easy to operate can greatly streamline processes, save time, and increase employee retention rates.

School cafeterias are often limited by space. Finding equipment that can do more in a reduced footprint is the quickest way to solve square footage concerns, enabling schools to prepare a wide variety of snacks without the need for numerous specialized units.

Finally, food safety is paramount in any foodservice setting, but especially in our school cafeterias. Equipment that is easy to clean and maintain can help ensure high cleanliness standards that will make eating facilities safe and compliant with standards.

Essential Equipment for Efficient Snack Preparation

When preparing for snack service in school foodservice, consider some of the following school cafeteria equipment types:

High-Performance Ovens

Whether it’s a ventless countertop oven from TurboChef or a combi oven from Blodgett, a high-performance oven can help cafeteria staff deliver snacks that will leave an impact. School foodservice technicians can do more in a smaller footprint. Snack items like muffins, sandwiches, or energy bars can all be produced in high volumes without sacrificing high quality. In addition, with an oven like a combi, high performance also comes with the added benefit of doing more in less space, adding versatility to any school cafeteria.

Steamers

Steam cooking is one of the easiest ways for school nutrition staff to preserve the desired nutrients in their ingredients. With products like Market Forge steamers, directors can prepare menus that are both nutritious and enticing for students. Considerations can include diverse menu options like dumplings or tamales to satisfy a diverse student body. Or more traditional items like cakes or eggs can be cooked in steamers, as well.

Warming Cabinets

Once snacks are prepared for service, they must then be delivered to students. In many cases, immediate service is not possible, making holding cabinets an important asset in school snack service. With warming and holding cabinets from Carter-Hoffmann, for example, even if snack preparation is done ahead of time, students still receive warm and appetizing food. These cabinets are also essential for maintaining food safety and preserving food quality, which will increase student participation.

Middleby Is Your Resource for School Cafeteria Equipment

No matter the challenge, Middleby has brands to help school nutrition directors find solutions for delivering great school foodservice. And that includes snacks! Start by checking out our comprehensive School Nutrition Resource Page to learn about the latest trends and innovations.