Talking Points for Government Shutdown

Provided for Menu Magic Subscribers

Strategy

We know that many of you have had to respond already to the shutdown issue, but we want you to have access to these talking points if you have not had to respond yet or may need to respond again.  And since you know the situation on the ground better than we do, please let us know what changes if any need to be made that might be helpful to everyone.

We've tried to keep this simple and straightforward -- don't say more than you have to, and let's all hope this gets resolved ASAP so that a funding lapse does not occur and you don't need this help!

We're also aware that everyone's situation is different, so we've provided an editable Word version if you need to make edits.  We'd be happy to help you with individual changes, too. 

General advice/strategy for media interactions:

Keep in mind that it is always acceptable, if a media representative, etc. calls, to tell him or her that you are taking care of something right now and to please give you a number to call back in just a few minutes.  Then, gather your thoughts and composure, look over the talking points again, and call back promptly.

It’s also acceptable to use the talking points when addressing media as a group or individually. It helps in this situation to get to know the material and try not to simply read, but use the points to refer to and keep yourself on track.   

Finally, don’t feel pressured to say more than you know or can accurately say.  Stay “on message” and stick to the points below, even if you have to repeat key phrases, and resist the all-too-human urge to blather on.  Say what you have to say and then stop – it’s up to them to frame a new question, so don’t let them use “the roaring silence” to get you to keep going kind of aimlessly.

Try to come off as accommodating and eager to help, rather than defensive or trying to hide something. 

AND PLEASE  – call or contact us if you need more extensive or specific help or preparation.

Also available here -- menu piece and page-size flyer letting affected families
know that they can apply for free and reduced-price meals.

Talking Points

PDF file to review and print as is

Editable Microsoft Word file 

Talking Points for Effects of the Federal Government Shutdown on School Meals:

1.     As always, our primary job in (Name of your department) is to make sure that our students are well-fed, so they can learn well in school and live healthy lives. 

2.     The current Federal Government shutdown affects the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which provides substantial funding and support for our school meals programs. USDA has announced that this funding will continue at least into March, even if the shutdown is not resolved. 

3.     In the short term, one of our priorities is to make sure that any families affected by federal furloughs caused by the shutdown know that they are eligible to apply for free and reduced-price meals at our schools.  They can contact us at _______________ for more information. 

4.     We’re hopeful that the shutdown will be resolved soon or other accommodations will be made and all federal funding of our meals will continue as usual, without interruption.   

5.     However, if the shutdown persists, our students will continue to be fed at school.  We will draw on our fund balance and other district resources to make sure our students always get the nutrition they need during the school day to learn well. 

6.     Every day, we serve XXXXXX meals to our district’s XXXXXX students.  We’re used to dealing with the uncertainty that running any food service operation of this size entails.  This is an unusual kind of uncertainty, but we’re determined that this situation will not disrupt our paramount commitment – to make sure our students are well-fed so they can meet the challenges of their school day.