Advice from NJ School officials

• Visit a successful site to learn more about how it operates.
• Ask questions to be better prepared.

— Michael Pichowicz, assistant business administrator,

• Invite siblings of students participating in a program to come for a meal to boost participation.
• Be sure you know the differences between SFSP and the National School Lunch Program and under which program you are serving meals.
• Follow the rules. NJDA carefully inspects and monitors sites.

—Alfred Savio, business administrator, Newton School District

• Offer meals to parents and other caregivers for $1 to help boost participation.
• Provide meals at community camps and other sites.

—Joel T. Johnston, school lead and founder, Compass Academy Charter School

• Offer an activity to increase participation.
• Encourage constant communication with sites, including attendance and changes in meal counts.
• Form a strong relationship with the food services vendor to ensure they can accommodate additional meals needed on a dime.

—Sharon Sperling Slater, summer food coordinator/school liaison, Plainfield City Division of Parks & Recreation

• Start early.
• Communicate with principals and engage them in program implementation.

—Tonya McGill, executive director of food services, Newark Public Schools