Using “Lean Thinking” to Boost Efficiency and Reduce Waste in K-12 Nutrition Programs

It’s no secret that labor is a top challenge in the food service industry, and K-12 school operations are no exception. It’s more important than ever to adopt creative labor strategies that optimize the team you have. One of these tools is “lean thinking,” which focuses on processes and people to ensure you use your team effectively while empowering them to achieve peak performance. This approach not only reduces food waste but also improves staff efficiency. Here’s how to apply lean thinking in your operation.

Finding Your Wastes (Not Just Food Waste)

The first step to a winning labor strategy is identifying wasted time and inefficiencies. In food service, waste isn’t limited to food; it can manifest in various categories. Smart operators aim to streamline tasks, focusing on high-value activities and cutting unnecessary labor hours. For example, freeing up 30 minutes a shift from 2 people a day creates 30 hours of new labor per month at no extra cost! By asking “why” questions and drilling down to the root causes of inefficiencies, you can uncover opportunities for improvement and implement solutions that enhance productivity and reduce waste.

7 Categories to Identify and Eliminate Waste

1. Transport – The unnecessary moving around of people and equipment.
2. Inventory – Excessive inventory and the resources to manage it.
3. Motion – Walking or moving more than required.
4. Waiting – Waiting for the next step so work can be done.
5. Overproduction – Producing more than needed.
6. Overprocessing – Doing more than customers want or need.
7. Defects – Managing the effort to fix errors or defects

Let’s take a look at a few key scenarios and ask probing “why” questions to uncover root causes:

Efficient Inventory and Ordering

• Searching for the Right Product: If team members frequently spend time looking for items in the storeroom, cooler, or freezer, it may indicate disorganization. Ensure all items are clearly labeled and stored in designated areas to reduce search time. Tip: Cambro has solutions for containers and organization to ensure storage space is efficient. 
• Ordering Confusion: Excessive time spent figuring out what and how much to order suggests a need for better forecasting and inventory systems. Implement digital tools for inventory management that can predict needs based on historical data. Tip: Consider using tools like Gordon Inventory.

Efficient Workflow

• Idle Time: If staff have significant downtime, it could point to scheduling issues or lack of task delegation. Ensure a balanced workload by cross-training employees and creating dynamic schedules. Tip: “Work is done in the time allowed”. Perform a time study to understand how much time should be allotted for each task.
• Repetitive Tasks: If staff perform repetitive tasks, consider automating these processes where possible or combining tasks to improve efficiency.

Optimized Meal Production

• Non-Value-Added Tasks: Identify and eliminate or simplify tasks that do not add value. Streamline preparation processes to focus on essential activities.
• Guessing Servings: If staff guess how many servings to prepare, it can lead to overproduction and waste. Use standardized, scaled recipes and accurate forecasting to determine meal quantities.

Conclusion

By adopting lean thinking, you can significantly reduce food waste, improve staff efficiency, and create a more sustainable and productive foodservice environment. For more information on implementing lean thinking, check out these resources:

Peak Performance Checklist

Peak Performance Guide

Embrace these strategies to transform your K-12 nutrition program into an efficient, waste-reducing operation.