5. Build Awareness and Support

Your Objectives

Your primary goal here is to publicize the policy and gain buy-in from all of the constituencies that it will affect. These include the following:

School Board -- What do School Board members think about it? Do they have particular concerns or requests? The board should be informed and involved throughout the development process so the board's concerns and priorities can be addressed as the policy is being drafted.

Parents -- Are the parents of students behind the initiative? Parents who have particular concerns might be those who volunteer for school snacks, fundraising and booster clubs.

School Administrators and Staff -- Have you spoken with principals, teachers, food service staff, and other school professionals about the policy and its implications?

Community Groups -- Have you contacted local hospitals, youth organizations, and local corporations, and asked for their involvement?

Students -- Have you had conversations with students about the policies?

Food Service Vendors -- Have you discussed the implications of the policy with the companies that provide food for the breakfast and lunch programs, and other foods served such as a la carte and vending?

Community at Large and the Media -- One way to heighten success for the new policy is to make it known to the general public. The media (newspapers, television, radio) can be an invaluable tool to accomplish this, by publicizing the changes being made and activities/events such as walkathons, and so on.