Promoting your Summer Food Service Program through local media outlets--print, radio and tv--is not only important to reaching families, but it can often be one of the cheapest forms of promotion. If an outlet chooses to cover your program, that media is free, and advertisements placed with local media are often inexpensive. See below for three steps to take to ensure your local media know about your program.
1. Send news releases and media advisories
Notifying local press about your program will increase chances for program coverage, which will generate awareness and increase access.
Check out Kansas Appleseed's tips for sending news releases and media advisories, and don't miss the news release templates provided by Kansas Appleseed, KSDE and USDA.
Check out Kansas Appleseed's tips for sending news releases and media advisories, and don't miss the news release templates provided by Kansas Appleseed, KSDE and USDA.
2. Advertise with your local outlets
Advertising prices vary greatly across different platforms. Though it's never guaranteed, many local outlets will offer discounts or even donated slots to nonprofit organizations and programs that serve the community. Call your local media outlets to see what your options are.
Ads should include, at minimum, the following info:
You could also convey:
To view examples of different advertising for different platforms, click below.
Ads should include, at minimum, the following info:
- All kids ages 1-18 can eat for free
- When and where the meal(s) will be served
- How to find more information (Website URL, phone number, email, etc.)
- The Summer Food Service Program is an equal opportunity provider
You could also convey:
- Meals are served in a safe environment
- Activities will be offered (if applicable)
To view examples of different advertising for different platforms, click below.
3. Write a letter to the editor or an opinion column
Has your program been in operation for a few weeks and you don't have any events coming up? Keep up program awareness by submitting a letter to the editor or an opinion piece. Note that this could be an effective way to gain support from the community, but may not be as successful in reaching your target audience--parents and kids
Click below to check out No Kid Hungry's media tip sheet from their 2017 Summer Playbook: How to Build a Communications Strategy
Click below to check out No Kid Hungry's media tip sheet from their 2017 Summer Playbook: How to Build a Communications Strategy
