What type of meals can we expect from Opaa! Food Management?

A: Both students and staff will have a much wider variety of foods from which to choose on a daily basis. In fact, participation rates tend to rise when Opaa!'s "multi-choice" menus and "scratch-cooking" recipes are introduced for the first time. We also include popular, brand name products on our monthly menus and feature a number of popular promotions on a regular basis. Teachers, administrators and classified staff also will benefit from Opaa!'s "Staff Special" menus. Finally, you can be assured that our menus will comply with the USDA School Meals Initiative for Healthy Children, for both National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs.

In a transition to an Opaa! Food Management program, what happens to our current staff of food service employees?

A: Because most people feel threatened by change, we will deal with this issue very carefully. Early in the transition process, members of our management team will conduct an orientation session with your foodservice staff to help acquaint them with Opaa! Food Management. We will help them to understand who we are, why we are here, and how together we will work to achieve the goals set in cooperation with the school district.

Opaa! Food Management has an excellent track record in working with districts' current staff members. Opaa!'s intention is to provide existing employees not just jobs, but careers in the exciting world of the food service industry. Current food service staff will be evaluated to assess their individual strengths. In addition, employees are afforded the opportunity to grow and advance by participating in Opaa!'s ongoing program of training and development.

How does Opaa! Food Management go about working with our district to make the transition as problem-free as possible?

A: Recognizing that the key to the success of any change is a smooth transition, Opaa! Food Management makes this one of its highest priorities. "Passing the torch" from a district-operated system to a nutrition management company must take place in an orderly fashion. Good communication between Opaa! and district administration, as well as between Opaa! and our new employees, is an essential element.

In order to keep this transition on a comfortable schedule, Opaa! will utilize a proven series of checklists to ensure that no detail is overlooked.

How are you able to provide these additional offerings, work with our existing staff, and still help us with our financial and educational "bottom lines"?

A: Opaa! Food Management's proven programs, when put to work for you, will increase student satisfaction and, therefore, increase participation and overall program revenues. After introducing Opaa!'s management techniques, your program will achieve greater production efficiencies -- and when you tie in Opaa!'s volume purchasing power, your district will be assured the most cost-effective financial "bottom line" possible.

Further, with Opaa! managing your district's nutrition program, you will be relieving your school administration from the day-to-day duties associated with the school lunch program and allow them more time to concentrate on educational issues. That will result in an improved educational "bottom line".