Nudge Forward
Harnessing the power of food choice architecture in schools to change the way we eat
Did you know?
Around 95% of decisions we make are made without conscious thought.
As K-12 Food Service Providers, we strongly influence the ‘autopilot’ decisions that kids make in our cafeterias.
The Opportunity
We have the opportunity to create a food environment where making nutritious food choices is easy and automatic for kids. How? We can use behavioral science to create intentional “nudges” that support the health of people, the planet, and the business.
We can design a foodspace that:
Creates the environment for making healthy food choices to support student outcomes and district goals
Influences kids’ food decisions, which ultimately establish their food behaviors
Outsmarts the brain to leverage autopilot decisions & natural tendency
Promotes healthy, sustainable eating strategies rooted in behavioral science
Food Choice Architecture (FCA) is the intentional design of food choices and spaces to make the healthy choices the easiest choice, without restricting options. FCA is rooted in behavioral science and can strongly influence the way we select and enjoy food.
Foodspace is a new term referring to the places and spaces where food decisions are made.
As a school food service operator, why does this matter?
Through intentional design, schools can significantly influence students’ choices in a way that benefits people, the planet, and the school district.
Encourages Healthier Choices. Schools are embracing their role in making healthy choices easy for students. Food service companies can help students develop healthy eating habits in the long term by designing spaces that promote healthy choices.
Sustainability. Help progress sustainability goals by promoting food waste reduction and local, seasonal, and plant-based foods. Choice architecture can help schools reduce their environmental footprint by reducing food waste.
Enhances Student Wellbeing & Academic Outcomes: Nudge Forward helps students select, consume, and enjoy nourishing foods. This is an important element that can contribute to academic success, as healthier food choices can enhance cognitive function, focus, and energy levels.
Nudge Forward takes an unconventional, “outside in” approach to nutrition & behavior change. Rather than focusing on “what to eat”, we focus on environment design as the key to changing food behaviors.
Understand
why we behave the way we do
Research
how foodspace impacts behavior
Approach
Distill
relevant research findings
Translate
research into actionable strategies
Share
knowledge
Nudge Forward Program
The Nudge Forward Program is designed to empower your Food Service Team with the knowledge and skills needed to optimize your food environment to best support your students. The course consists of a series of short video modules covering the topics below. Checklists/handouts are provided to help bring actionable strategies to life.
Introduction
The Science of Decision Making
Behavior Change
School Food Environment
Sustainable Food Choices
Food Choice Architecture Strategy Overview
Sheryl Allen, MS, PhD, RD
The idea of Nudge Forward was started back in 2022. Through my work supporting the Food Program at Google, I have seen how the environment we create can drive many of our behaviors and food choices. Through intentional food spaces, we can improve the health of people and the planet. My mission is to make behavioral science research and food choice architecture strategies accessible to the audiences that can benefit the most - our youngest diners.
K-12 students are in their formative years and are developing a relationship with food that will stick with them through adulthood. This is our opportunity to expose, excite, and let them enjoy the bounty of foods that are delicious and nourishing! As a mother of 2 young kiddos and a Registered Dietitian, I’m passionate about nourishing our kids to fuel a brighter future.
Interested in learning more? Let’s connect.
Please fill out some basic info and I will be reaching out. Thank you!