School nutrition directors often face challenges relating to space. Using foodservice equipment that saves space, provides flexibility, and allows for mobility can make foodservice easier and more efficient. Ultimately, school cafeteria merchandisers can play an important role by empowering school nutrition professionals with dynamic resources that can change the landscape of the cafeteria.

Let's take a closer look at some of the main space-related challenges that today's K-12 school nutrition directors face, as well as some solutions created by the right merchandisers.

Exploring the Complexities of K-12 Meal Time Challenges

The main goal of a school nutrition program is just that -- nutrition. Students need to eat nourishing food in the cafeteria to produce ideal performance in the classroom, but school cafeterias that are slow and inefficient have a reduced chance of providing nourishment.

One of the foremost issues is the seeming inflexibility of limited floor plans and space constraints. This is particularly true for aging infrastructures but can also affect more modern school buildings. Layouts should include quick and easy access to both hot and cold food types in order to appeal to a wider range of students, and those arrangements should also enhance speed-of-service to encourage participation.

A good solution is to provide heated and refrigerated foods that appeal to students and faculty alike with high-profile, well-lit merchandisers. The right merchandiser can accommodate higher volumes of food and beverage stored at the right temperatures, encouraging participation with the right sight lines to the products. With the right display, directors can access heated, cold, or dry food merchandisers mainly geared toward the K-12 school foodservice space. Casters simplify relocating merchandisers, while adjustable shelving and lighting can meet changing needs. Plus, when multiple merchandising units are combined, providing a variety of foods while saving space is a breeze.

Smart Solutions for School Nutrition: Federal Industries' Flexible Merchandisers

Commercial kitchen spaces for K-12 schools trust Federal Industries as a leading provider of adaptable merchandising solutions. When durability and adaptability matter, these Federal foodservice displays allow schools to meet the challenge while helping nutrition programs thrive.

Vision Series (Refrigerated, Non-Refrigerated, Heated)

The new Vision Series models offer expanded front and side views. This is particularly helpful for smaller children as it provides better visibility from a lower level. Both functional and aesthetic, the features of these customizable merchandisers invite customers to engage and boost sales.

A merchandiser with a condenser constantly running can strain the unit. Vision Series Models offer a reverse fan that effectively helps to keep the unit free of debris and dirt. An option for a self-cleaning unit is available in the series to help keep the display in tip-top shape.

For school cafeterias, the option to join multiple cases to create a line-up may be preferable. This setup works well for refrigerated, non-refrigerated, or heated cases.

LMDM4878SC

Imagine a merchandiser designed especially for schools to offer a self-serve option for milk and beverage items. With a top-mount condensing unit, the LMDM4877SC provides ease of accessibility to a low deck.

With electrical requirements of 208-240V, 6-20P NEMA plug, the unit can hold up to 12 milk crates. Optional features include the ability to replenish merchandise from rear access sliding doors, so staff are out of the way during the busiest service times. Plus, once the day ends, an optional roll-down security cover can secure merchandise after hours, saving time from having to load and unload the case every day.

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Another way to increase profits in the K-12 school cafeteria with minimal space is by displaying beverages in this smaller commercial refrigeration unit. Holding up to 4 milk crates with 120V, 5-20P NEMA plug electrical requirements, it still offers easy accessibility to a low deck with its top-mounted condenser, an optional roll-down security cover, and an optional rear access hinged door for replenishing merchandise.

The K-12 school foodservice environment is a world with unique challenges. Flexible merchandising solutions can meet those challenges when they arise. Federal's variety of merchandiser models will provide adaptable displays that generate more revenue while meeting school children's nutritional needs.

In need of need displays to get your K-12 students to eat better? Get started on our free assessment: