Start Your Own
Why Start a Student Lunch Program?
If a few students at Piedmont High can build a lunch program that feeds classmates and donates to the community, students at any school can too. You don’t need a commercial kitchen, a business degree, or a big budget. You need a team, a plan, and a willingness to start small.
Here’s how we did it — and how you can do it too.
Step-by-Step Playbook
1. Build Your Team
Find 2-3 friends who can cook, organize, and show up reliably. You don’t need a large team to start — you need a committed one.
2. Get School Permission
Talk to your school administration about using kitchen facilities, selling food on campus, and any health/safety requirements. Every school is different — start this conversation early.
3. Plan Your Menu
Start with one dish you can make well, in quantity, at a reasonable cost. Test it on friends before scaling up. Our first meal was Thai Green Curry.
4. Set Your Pricing
Price to cover ingredients plus a margin for community donations. We aim for meals that are affordable for students but still generate funds for our mission.
5. Handle the Logistics
- Food sourcing and shopping
- Prep schedule (what can be done the night before?)
- Packaging and serving setup
- Payment collection (we use Square)
- Cleanup
6. Tell People About It
Word of mouth is your best tool in a school. Instagram helps. A simple website (like this one) gives you credibility and a place to take orders.
7. Give Back
Decide early where your profits go. Having a clear community mission makes everything else easier — it motivates your team, it resonates with your school, and it gives your program meaning beyond just selling food.