School Lunch Hero Day 2024 is Friday, May 3, 2024! On this cafeteria appreciation day, we recognize the dedication and important work that school cafeteria staff do each day to ensure kids are well-fed.
No matter what your relationship is to cafeteria staff, this list has ideas for everyone!
And if you’re looking for gift ideas, check out this year’s School Lunch Hero Day Gift Ideas.
Principals/Administrators
Principals and administrators can help promote the event within the school community and have access to funding for staff appreciation that School Nutrition often does not. Here are some ways they can help celebrate:
- Morning Announcements. Recognizing the cafeteria staff in the morning announcements is a free and easy way to show your appreciation. To make it most meaningful, recognize them by name and add a personal touch with an antidote unique to your school. Here is an example:
Today is School Lunch Hero Day! Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Miller, Ms. Brown, and Mr. Li work hard every day to make sure we’re well-fed, especially when they make their famous homemade cinnamon rolls! Be sure to thank the cafeteria staff when you see them today.
- Get the Word Out. Share the date of the event in parent newsletters, in staff announcements, on social media, and on the school marquee.
- Food. Even though they work with food all day, cafeteria staff still love to be treated with a meal or snack. Arrange for breakfast or lunch to be brought in for them, or bring them snacks, like muffins, donuts, cookies, or cupcakes. I’ve even seen the school gift the cafeteria staff a charcuterie board, which was much appreciated!
- Gifts. If you can swing it, a small gift is always appreciated. A school t-shirt is a well-loved item, as are cups/tumblers, mugs, lotions, candles, plants/flowers, gift cards, or goodie bags. This article has lots more ideas for gifts cafeteria staff will love.
- Guest Servers. Assist in serving lunch along with the staff. Or take it one step further and arrange for the PTA or other volunteers to serve that day to give cafeteria staff a break!
- Thank You Card Table. For older students, arrange a table in the cafeteria with supplies to write a thank you card or note to the cafeteria staff.
- Surprise Sticky Notes. Shower the kitchen with sticky notes with words of affirmation and appreciation so they are surprised when they walk in on Friday. Ask students or teachers to contribute.
- Decorations. Arrange for the cafeteria to be decorated by students or parents. Streamers, hand-made posters, and balloons (non-latex, if needed) are all great options.
Teachers
Teachers can help celebrate the cafeteria staff by coordinating something with the students. I can attest that the staff really do appreciate it!
- Thank You Activity. Have your students create thank you cards, sign a thank you poster, or draw a picture for the cafeteria staff.
- Class Song, Poem, or Chant. Arrange for your class to write a song, poem, or chant to perform for the cafeteria staff.
- Thank You Video. Make a short video of students talking about their favorite school lunches and thanking the staff. Play on the morning announcements or email to the cafeteria staff.
- Round of Applause. Have your class clap for the cafeteria staff when they come in for lunch.
- Email or Note. Write a heartfelt email or note to the cafeteria staff letting them know how much you appreciate them.
School Nutrition Directors
School Nutrition Directors have the responsibility of ensuring the district is aware of the date of the event. They also can contribute their appreciation to the day!
- Spread the Word. The School Nutrition Director can spread the word about School Lunch Hero Day 2024 through newsletters, social media, and news outlets. Be sure to share the date with principals, school board members, and PTAs so they are prepared to join in on the fun too!
- Staff Profile. Write up a profile of a staff member to share on social media, a newsletter, or email. Share the person’s experience, job duties, and why they are a superhero. Use this as a way of raising awareness of the cafeteria’s role in the district and to give them ALL a shout out!
- Exciting News. Use this day as a platform to announce any change to the program that improves employee work life. Examples include upcoming raises, bonuses, improvement to benefits, new equipment or supplies to be purchased, training that will be offered, etc.
- Gifts. A gift from the district is great if possible. T-shirts and aprons make good gifts that are typically viewed as allowable costs. These typically fall under micro purchases but check your purchasing threshold to be sure.
- Thank You Cards. Write personalized thank you notes to each staff member or cafeteria. DIY with this digital download, but a basic thank you card would work too!
- Food. Treat your staff to snacks, like muffins, donuts, cookies, or cupcakes.
Cafeteria Managers
Cafeteria managers are also celebrated on this day, but they can help make it a special day for their staff.
- Share the Date. Be sure to share the date with the school at least a week before the event. Yes, it would be nice if everyone already knew the date, but they most likely won’t. Here’s a sample email:
Please join me in celebrating my staff Friday, May 3 for School Lunch Hero Day 2024, a national event recognizing the important work the cafeteria staff does for our students. I’ll be buying each of them t-shirts for that day, and I know they would love to hear a word of appreciation from the school community too!
- Decorate. Decorate your serving line for School Lunch Hero Day 2024 with super hero-themed items, like table toppers or hanging signs.
- Dress Up. Dress up in capes and masks for the event or provide staff a super hero-themed t-shirt.
Parents/PTAs
Parents can help recognize the cafeteria staff by planning something with their student. PTA/PTO can make the cafeteria staff feel special by coordinating volunteers or gifts.
- Thank You Card. Have your child make a thank you card for the cafeteria staff. They love getting them!
- Thank You Printable. Or print one of these thank yous from Must Have Mom. She recommends attaching it to a box of candy. Cute!
- Food. Arrange for the staff to receive a meal delivered or send in a box of donuts or cupcakes.
- Flowers. Gifting each a small bouquet of flowers or potted plant or herb is an appreciated gesture.
- Volunteer. Offer to volunteer for the day to help lessen their workload. Serve food during lunch or help prep fruit or condiments before meal service.
- Gift an Experience. The PTA could arrange for the staff to receive a massage, manicure, or paint party.
Summary
No matter how you choose to celebrate School Lunch Hero Day 2024, the cafeteria staff will appreciate being recognized for the important role they play in student lives!
