5 AI Prompts for K-12 Foodservice

Generative AI... ChatGPT... Machine Learning...You've surely heard about the power of Artificial Intelligence by now but as busy as life is in K-12 foodservice have you had the chance to really dive in and explore how it can help you work faster and more efficiently?

No? That's okay, and we're here to help!

We've created five prompts to help you test and quickly learn how one specific AI tool - ChatGPT can be used in your operation. They have been thoughtfully designed for you to swiftly test out the power of ChatGPT and transform your school's foodservice initiatives.

These prompts can be customized to return results that are more specific to your operation and then copied and pasted directly into ChatGPT. Then sit back and watch the results roll in. Feel free to ask more questions of ChatGPT to further refine your results or just use these as inspiration to take back to your team for discussion!

ChatGPT is a powerful tool but it can be a little intimidating to begin. All you need to do to get started is to create your account, input your prompts and then watch the magic unfold! 

You've got this!

Report back on your results or if you have suggestions for prompts that we should add to the list!

Quickly pull tempting food descriptions.

Prompt to Try

Act as a Marketer editing a [level of school] menu for students. Write a food description up to 150 characters long for a [item’s name]. Its ingredients include [top notable ingredients]. Write in a [style] tone.

Example

Act as a Marketer editing a public elementary school menu for students. Write a food description up to 150 characters long for a Chicken Sandwich. Its ingredients include lettuce, tomato, mayo, and cheddar cheese. Write in a friendly and fun tone.

ChatGPT Generated Response 

Try out our Cluck-Tastic Grilled Chicken Sandwich! Tender grilled chicken breast on a sesame seed bun, topped with crisp lettuce and juicy tomato. It's flavor-packed fuel for your fantastic adventures! Dive in and savor the yum! 🐔🍅🥬

PRO TIP: Include references to current topics or interests your students are all talking about! For example; “...Write in a friendly and fun tone and include a reference to Minecraft.”

Try out pun-ny food names students will love.

Prompt to Try

Act as a Marketer editing a [school level] menu for students. Give me 5 creative names that use puns for a [item name] and that are no longer than 70 characters.

Example

Act as a Marketer editing a public high school menu for students. Give me 5 creative names that use puns for a Grilled Cheese and Ham Sandwich and that are no longer than 70 characters.

ChatGPT Generated Response

"Hamazing Grilled Cheese Delight"
"Cheesy Piggy Melt"
"Hamtastic Cheesy Blisswich"
"Gouda and Hamtastic Grilled Delight"
"Cheese and Ham Sizzler Sandwich"

PRO TIP: Give the AI some of the item’s ingredients to serve as pun inspiration for an even more unique name. EX: “...that are no longer than 70 characters. This food has pepper jack cheese, sourdough bread, and honey roasted ham in it.” ChatGPT: "Peppery Jacked Ham Melt" "Sourdough Hambassador"

Use up extra ingredients with creative recipe suggestions.

Prompt to Try

I need to use up extra [ingredient(s)]. Give me 5 recipe ideas that use these ingredients that [school level] students would enjoy eating.

Example

I need to use up extra broccoli and milk. Give me 5 recipe ideas that use these ingredients that elementary school students would enjoy eating.

ChatGPT Generated Response

1. Creamy Broccoli Soup: Blend steamed broccoli with milk, adding a sprinkle of cheese for extra yum. Serve with warm bread for a cozy lunch option.
2. Cheesy Broccoli Bites: Mix finely chopped broccoli with a cheesy milk mixture, form into bite-sized balls, and bake until golden. A fun and nutritious snack!
3. Broccoli Mac and Cheese: Add steamed broccoli florets to classic mac and cheese for a colorful twist. The creamy cheese sauce and tender broccoli make it a hit!
4. Broccoli and Cheese Quesadillas: Sauteed broccoli meets gooey cheese in a crispy tortilla. A handheld delight that's perfect for lunch or a quick after-school bite.
5. Broccoli Pancakes: Blend cooked broccoli with milk and flour to create a savory pancake batter. Cook until golden brown and serve with a dollop of yogurt or sour cream for a unique and veggie-packed meal.
   
   

PRO TIP: Want additional available kitchen ingredients to be considered in the recipe search? List them out for the AI to keep in mind. EX: “...students would enjoy eating. I also have eggs, mozzarella cheese, bell peppers, cauliflower, ranch dressing, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, and grilled chicken available to use.” ChatGPT: “Cheesy Broccoli and Cauliflower Casserole”, “Ranch Broccoli Salad”, “Broccoli and Chicken Stir-Fry”

Boost student knowledge with new “did you know?” facts.

Prompt to Try

I want to help students in my [school level] understand more about the nutrition in the foods they eat. Give me 5 "Did you know?" nutrition facts and food examples that our students would be interested in.

Example

I want to help students in my elementary school understand more about the nutrition in the foods they eat. Give me 5 "Did you know?" nutrition facts and food examples that our students would be interested in.

ChatGPT Generated Response

1. Did you know? Carrots are great for your eyes! They're packed with vitamin A, which helps you see in dim light. Crunch on raw carrot sticks or enjoy them cooked in soups and stir-fries.
2. Did you know? Strawberries are not only delicious but also a fantastic source of vitamin C, which helps keep your skin healthy and aids in wound healing. Enjoy them as a snack, in smoothies, or on top of yogurt.
3. Did you know? Milk is a calcium powerhouse that helps build strong bones and teeth. Enjoy a glass of milk or use it to make tasty smoothies, puddings, or oatmeal.
4. Did you know? Broccoli is a superhero veggie! It's packed with fiber, which keeps your tummy happy and helps with digestion. Steam it or dip raw florets into a tasty dip.
5. Did you know? Whole grains like oatmeal and whole wheat bread provide long-lasting energy and are loaded with essential vitamins and minerals. Start your day with a bowl of oatmeal or enjoy a sandwich on whole wheat bread.
   

PRO TIP: Want to focus more on key nutrient facts? Revise the prompt to: I want to help students in my high school understand more about key nutrients that help their bodies grow and function. Give me 5 "Did you know?" nutrient facts and examples of foods they can be found in that our students would be interested in.

Find the right words when writing emails to parents.

Prompt to Try

I'm a [Role] that needs to email the parents of our students in [school level] about [insert topic]. The email should be [tone]. 

[Topic] includes:

[List notes of the relevant details to include within the email body]

Example

I'm a Foodservice Director that needs to email the parents of our students in middle school about the changes to our lunch menus. The email should be professional and positive.

Changes include:

1. We now identify menu items that contain Sesame as an allergen on our menus.
2. We are changing items with fried chicken to have grilled chicken instead to support healthier eating. But we assure you, our new grilled chicken is delicious and will allow us to have more variety in recipes.
3. Our Sides are changing to include steamed broccoli, mashed sweet potatoes, and grilled corn. We will no longer be serving tater tots.
   
   

ChatGPT Generated Response

Subject: Exciting Updates to Middle School Lunch Menus!

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We hope this email finds you well. We are thrilled to share some exciting changes to our middle school lunch menus that we believe will enhance the dining experience for our students and support their well-being.

Improved Allergen Information:
In our commitment to the safety of all students, we have made changes to our menu labeling. From now on, we will clearly identify menu items that contain Sesame as an allergen. This will help us ensure that everyone can make informed choices that align with their dietary needs.

Healthier Alternatives:
As part of our ongoing efforts to promote healthier eating habits, we are transitioning from fried chicken to grilled chicken in our menu items. Rest assured, our new grilled chicken is not only nutritious but also absolutely delicious! This change will enable us to introduce a wider variety of recipes and flavors, providing more options to suit every student's taste preferences.

Exciting Sides Selection:
We are revamping our sides to offer more wholesome and nutritious choices. Along with this, we bid farewell to tater tots and welcome the introduction of steamed broccoli, mashed sweet potatoes, and grilled corn. These flavorful and nutrient-rich sides will complement our main dishes perfectly, ensuring a well-balanced and satisfying meal for our students.

We are dedicated to providing a positive and engaging dining experience for your children. These changes reflect our commitment to their health, well-being, and culinary enjoyment. We believe that by offering diverse, allergen-conscious options and encouraging healthier choices, we can contribute to their overall development.

We appreciate your continued support and encourage you to share any feedback or questions you may have regarding the new menu changes. We value your partnership in nurturing the well-being of our students.

Thank you for your attention, and we look forward to serving your children with delightful and nutritious meals!


Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Foodservice Director