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Stocking the Concession Stand
(1/31/2007)
 Nutrition On Deck: CONCESSION STANDS
Concession stands are a great fundraising method at meets and other club-organized events. The challenge is in providing food items that are both nutritious AND good sellers. Consider the following next time you organize a concession stand for your club:
Sandwiches – Submarine sandwiches, turkey sandwiches, ham and cheese sandwiches…Cut them into halves and provide the condiments separately. In fact, keep the condiments behind the counter, and distribute upon request. Be sure the sandwiches are kept chilled.
Pizza - Everyone likes pizza, so this should be a good seller. Provide pizza by the slice, and consider cheese pizza and veggie pizza options over meat pizzas. Pizza is a more nutritious option for the swimmers relative to chili dogs and nachos.
Snacks - Last week we covered the idea of providing the swimmers with a variety of foods to choose from during a meet, and this applies to the concession stand as well. Consider individually packaged snacks, and recruit volunteers to spend the evening before packing Ziplocs with dry cereal and trail mix. Also consider granola bars, PowerBars, PowerBar Bites, yogurts with individual packs of grapenuts/granola, oatmeal packets, and even popcorn. These are all great substitutes for candy!
 Fruit and Veggie Snacks - Although fruits and veggies would fit in the category of snacks, these snacks are worthy of its own category. Whole fruits are easy, but think color…oranges, peaches, nectarines, strawberries, watermelon, grapes. Consider individual half-cup containers of blueberries, raspberries, blackberries or mixtures to sell as an option with the yogurts (i.e. pick fruit or grapenuts/granola or both). Veggies can be more difficult, so again be sure only to sell what people are likely to buy. Baby carrots, sugar peas, and celery sticks with peanut butter or ranch dip are typically better sellers than raw broccoli or cauliflower.
Drinks - The biggest decision regarding drinks at concessions stands seems to be whether or not to offer soda. Keep in mind that relative to juice boxes, electrolyte drinks such as Gatorade and Powerade and nutrition drinks like Carnation Instant Breakfast, soda provides little nutritional value. Because soda can be a big seller, consider limiting soda sales to non-swimmers at meets.
Most importantly, be creative. Presentation can make or break concession sales. If your situation allows it (or requires it), consider outside vendors whose products are in line with your club’s philosophy regarding nutrition and performance. Good luck!
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