We've certainly never seen a back-to-school season like this before. All across eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, districts are working hard to determine what an in-person classroom experience might look like, and school nutrition directors are adjusting their plans accordingly.

We're probably going to see a whole range of options, from in-person hybrid models to complete, stay-at-home schooling, and this means school foodservice could look very different, as well. How can schools safely serve students in traditional lunchrooms? What about the delivery of food for in-class meals? Finally, what if students are learning from home? How can meals still be provided for those families who need them the most?

In reality, the equipment schools use will have a great impact on their capabilities when it comes to delivery, and we'd like to walk you through a few of those options here.

EAGLE GROUP STORAGE AND FOOD HOLDING:

Eagle Group has many different products that will fit in to your school solutions easily, from heated mobile carts to wire shelving.

Heated holding cabinets from Eagle Group are the perfect way to keep keep the food warm, and easy to access. They feature digital control systems in every single unit, and a touch screen for simple operating. The crystal-clear LCD panel is a great way to get a clear and concise temperature read. It's available in undercounter size, full size, and half size, to fit your needs and spacing. 

Eagle Group's wide variety of sinks available to make hand-washing and warewashing a top priority in those busy school kitchens. The touch free handwashing station comes with a towel dispenser, soap dispenser, hand sanitizer dispenser, and also a glove box holder, for those installations that have plumbing access.

They also have a wide variety of carts and shelving, designed with the school kitchen in mind. Optimize your space, and increase your storage capabilities with these metal shelving options. Many can be customized to truly utilize your unique space to its fullest potential.

THE A+ ADDITION FROM FEDERAL

Made to ease the stress of contact, this grab & go system is designed expressly for schools. Utilize Federal's Hot Self-Serve to keep packaged products heated and reduce exposure. Alternatively, the Dairy Air-Screen provides you with the perfect compartments to keep drinks and other single-size dishes from melting or diminishing in quality. 

Both of these options are designed as self-serve products, making it easy for students and staff to grab what they need for lunch without coming into contact with potentially harmful germs that linger on plates and utensils. They're also designed to make cleaning easy and by using pre-packaged items you can reduce spillage that may leak out onto other items. 

Hear about the Dairy Air from Fred Earl Cow:

While there are many benefits to the Dairy Air-Screen and Hot Self-Serve, we're going to name just a few of them.

• Individually heated shelves allow you to adjust the temperature for each item specifically, making it easy to provide a multitude of options to choose from. 
• LED lights provide you with easy viewing and cater to merchandising.
• Easily remove the air filter, which is washable, and shelves to clean them as needed.
• Moisture resistant end paneling is designed alongside tempered thermo-pane glass to help maintain the quality of products. 
• You can reduce energy consumption.
• Shelves can be flat or slanted, making the design customized for you. 

In addition to these great features, you can reduce the need for labor and provide an easy yet safe way for students and staff to grab the items they need for lunch. 

MOBILE SOLUTIONS FROM LAKESIDE

Federal isn't the only one crafting great solutions to serving. You can also take advantage of a variety of mobile products by Lakeside that may help when it comes to adjusted serving schedules in smaller locations (such as classrooms). Their compact portable handwashing stations provide quick and efficient options for making sure everyone washes their hands as needed. Milk crate carts and portable food carts allow you to take lunch directly to your students, without worrying about having too many people in one secluded area.

Should your school resume with lunch planned to function as normal as possible, safe rail traffic barriers can help direct the flow of the cafeteria, assisting in maintaining the idea of social distancing and simply organizing the efficiency of providing lunch. 

See the handwashing station in action:

The 2020 fall school year doesn't have to be overwhelming. We understand that things are currently a little different than what we're accustomed to and adjustments need to be made. That's why at One Source Reps, we're determined to provide you with the best solutions to making the transition back to school an easy one. Cheers to getting back to routines, staying safe, and continuing to learn and educate. 

Schedule a free foodservice equipment assessment with us to learn more, whether you're looking to proactively be prepared for the return of in-person schools, or looking to problem-solve meal delivery curbside. We're here to help.