Fireside Chats (weekly)
Nutrition News (weekly)
Display Cooking (regularly)
Diversity Topic (monthly)
MMS Promotions (2x per)
Recently we posted a survey to gain feedback about our regional blog. In doing so, we were able to learn what posts help our field managers to create new and creative initiatives. We were also received an interesting, but not very positive quote as a comment:
A lot of the things are very repetitive and
not original. Most of the things are so simple that we are doing on a daily
basis so there is not initial value to it except maybe to the account posting it
because they have to post something.
So as your blog manager, I am listing the October promotional days as well as ideas on how to use them. Remember, not all promotions need to cost money. Your time or educational materials are low cost and just as effective. In this post, you will not only find a bunch of new and interesting ideas but also the many, many other posts on the blog can be used as a stepping stone, a diving board, or a launching pad to gain creative excellence in your operation. Our accounts will only continue "Soaring Higher" if we are consistantly striving to Be The Benchmark.
Click the links for more ideas!
Monthly
American Cheese Month: do something totally different with this food
Apple Month: Curried Pumpkin Apple Soup, Caramel Apple Cider, Haroset, Cinnamon Apple Burritos
Celiac Disease Awareness Month: feature a gluten free dish, once a week for the whole month
Eat Better, Eat Together: try serving a family style meal with fried chicken and the fixin's
National Bake and Decorate Month: cookies or cupcakes, allow the residents to decorate their own
National Caramel Month: Caramel Apple Smores, Baked Caramel French Toast, 5 Caramel Cupcake Ideas
National Chili Month: what a great diversity activity! Have your staff participate in a chili cook off!
Popcorn Poppin Month: 5 Popcorn Topping Variations, Simply Perfect Popcorn Ideas
Pear and Pinapple Month
Pizza Month: who doesn't love a good pizza/movie night? Serve four different kinds of pizza.
Spinach Lovers Month: once a week feature a spinach dish like a salad, souffle, or dip with pita chips. Label it on the calendar, Spinach Lovers Month: Orange, Walnut Salad.
Vegetarian Month: this would be a great Nutrition News topic with a bean/legume dish as a feature
Weekly
1 - 9 Sukkot: another great diversity activity!
3 - 10 No Salt Week: this week, garnish each entree with a different herb. Have information available about low salt diets and the benefits to cooking with fresh herbs
Days
1 - World Vegetarian Day: see above regarding Vegetarian Month
4 - Cinnamon Roll Day: please do not just stick "Cinnamon Rolls!" on your calendar. Come on...think of some other way to promote this item. Swedish Cinnamon Rolls, Fruit Filled Cinnamon Rolls, Apple Cider Cinnamon Rolls
8 - Pierogy Day: did you know that you can make these from scratch? Have an activity where the residents can learn to make them. Traditionally they are made with cheese and potatoes but can also be made with prunes, kraut, or cottage cheese.
9 - Chess Day: we aren't just about food but the total wellness of our residents. Work with activities (or not) and set out chess or even checker sets, Cracker Barrel style!
10 - Teddy Bear to Work Day: yet another great, fun diversity activity. You don't need to actually bring the bear to work, but have your employees (and residents) write down what their childhood toy was. Learn something new about one another!
12 - World Egg Day: promote the health benefits of eggs as well as serve a new egg dish
15 - Cake Decorating Day: see above regarding Bake and Decorate Month
18 - Chocolate Cupcake Day: again, don't simply place "Chocolate Cupcake Day!" on the calendar. Use that culinary innovative mind of yours and create something spectacular. Tall Filled Cakes, Coconut Chocolate Cherry, Filled Devil's Food
24 - Food Day: this website has a ton of free resources to help your residents and employees learn to Eat Real. As a food expert, take the time to educate your employees on how to eat healthy at a low cost.
25 - Pasta Day: if you can't create an awesome pasta bar with unusual ingredients, use creative pastas like basil, spinach, even chocolate!
26 - Breadstick Day: if you have been following my "don't be boring" logic, then you will already know that I am going to say don't just put "Breadstick Day!" on the calendar. Top them with herbs, make them from rye/wheat/pumpernickel dough. Here is a recipe. Serve them with unusual sauces like spinach parmesan, reuben dip, or a cheese fondue.
30 - Candy Corn Day
31 - Caramel Apple Day
Here's to some awesome calendars for October!