School mealtimes are more than a chance to eat. They are crucial times when students take a break from classes to refuel their bodies and hang out with their friends.
Providing a vibrant, engaging café environment is almost as important as offering them tasty and nutritious food they enjoy.
With CoolCaf for elementary schools and Lunchpad for middle schools, Aramark Student Nutrition provides school district clients with two dining brands that come with a suite of menus, signage, station identifiers, and other materials to keep younger students satisfied and engaged.
Lunchpad
Middle school is a time of transition when students gain more responsibility and independence.
Based on that fact—and industry-leading research—Aramark Student Nutrition created Lunchpad as a dining destination where kids can take on whatever their day brings.
Introduced in 2023, Lunchpad is designed with the following attributes in mind:
- Insightful. Built with a deep understanding of student customers, Lunchpad relies on research on middle school students and what drives their behaviors with dining. Expert qualitative and quantitative insights have given the Aramark Student Nutrition team a clear focus on what works.
- Flexible. No two middle school communities are the same and that’s why LunchPad has been built to address the diverse locations Aramark Student Nutrition serves. Everything from the food served to the spaces designed were created in ways that allow flexibility to ensure everyone gets what they need.
- Engaging. Lunchpad is built on an understanding that every element is part of a two-way street to keep students engaged in the program and enjoy their dining experience. Easy-to-follow station signage, fun food promotions, pop-up stations and sampling events, student feedback, and more satisfy student diners and help the Aramark Student Nutrition team create the best experiences possible.
CoolCaf
First introduced in 2008 based on comprehensive research with students and adults, CoolCaf energizes the elementary school dining environment with tasty menus, bright colors, animation, student-inspired themes, and messaging that promotes health and wellbeing.
This year, CoolCaf has been updated with fresh colors, signage, server uniforms, and other promotional materials that highlight the three important pillars of the brand:
- Food. Growing kids value more than fresh food. They seek new flavors and new ideas, all within the confines of a safe, happy, and healthy social environment.
- Fun. Messages foster happiness, health, and wellbeing.
- Friends. As kids become more independent, they seek out brands that empower a positive emotional connection.
Central to CoolCaf’s appeal is ACE, the friendly fox mascot that teaches elementary children about nutrition and healthy habits through posters, in-person visits, and a fun and educational video series.
In Aramark Student Nutrition research, the introduction of CoolCaf at a school has been shown to increase fruit and vegetable consumption, increase speed of service, and increase overall school meal participation, which is a key factor for schools seeking to increase federal funding of their meal programs.
