Project Healthy Business

View video from the 2004 Healthy Business at Farrington High School.

Meadow Gold Hilo Branch Manager David Yee enlisted Derek Kurisu, vice president of KTA Super Stores, to assist him with teaching the Waiakea Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) students and advisor Sheri Kojima about business, marketing, finance, public relations and management skills to run their small business.

News of the program's success spread quickly throughout the Big Island and around the state. A few short months later, Project Healthy Business launched at Hilo High School, Honokaa High School and Pahoa High School at each school's request.

Due to the success of the Big Island pilot programs, Meadow Gold Dairies Hawai'i decided to bring the program to Oahu. In April 2001 Farrington High School became the first Oahu school to participate in the program, and others are soon to follow.

The goal of the portable drink dispenser program is to teach students important skills that have a positive impact on their lives that will stay with them after they graduate from high school.

Each portable drink dispenser is a classroom educational tool that serves as a store. Students operate the drink dispenser as a business. As small business people, they learn how to market and sell their products, manage finances and product stock, and many of the skills that a business owner must possess.

' Some of these skills include problem-solving, decision-making, oral and written communication, teamwork, and leadership. The portable drink dispenser also provides the student body with a healthy alternative to beverages that are already found on campuses.

Meadow Gold donates the use of the machine free of charge to the school for the first semester of participation. Beginning in the second semester of participation, the formal program begins, including the payment program. Like any other business, the school must pay for the equipment it uses.

Meadow Gold donates the first case of each product for the dispenser. All orders placed following the initial complimentary order receives a special Project Healthy Business program price.

Our Project Healthy Business team members work with teachers to help students brainstorm on marketing and promotion ideas, and other business-related functions to boost their business. We regularly review the progress of each business at the schools through feedback from students, teachers, and administrators. We keep track of regular sales, sales generated by promotion campaigns, and other items that businesses consider when evaluating operations.

For more information on the Project Healthy Business program, send us an e-mail at ProjectHealthyBusiness@lanimoo.com.

Copyright 2007 Meadow Gold, Privacy Policy