School cafeterias need consistent customer service, expert says

Today's school food is arguably healthier than it has ever been — no trans fats, baked instead of fried and the sugar is limited.

The one thing that hasn't changed, according to representatives of Ingenious Culinary Concepts, is the need for good, consistent customer service.

About 300 cafeteria workers from the eight school systems in Colbert, Lauderdale and Franklin counties attended Tuesday's annual areawide child nutrition workshop at Highland Park Baptist Church.

Presenter Kern Halls, who founded the school food service training and consulting company, shared ideas with the cafeteria employees for growing their numbers of participants in the school lunch program.

"Have theme days," he said. "And use social media to your advantage, talking to your supervisor about your ideas. It's all about creating awareness of your program. In short, you have to invest in your customers."