Increase Meal Participation and Expand Educational Opportunities with Grab-and-Go Carts

June 11, 2025

Mobile grab-and-go carts are more than a trend.

They are essential for any school looking to increase meal participation and make a life-changing impact on students.

Here’s how the added flexibility of a grab-and-go cart can transform your school foodservice.

Serve more students from anywhere in your school

The cart’s mobility is the secret sauce to help your school.

Welcome your students with a breakfast that sets the tone for the school day. Then bring it to the cafeteria to help take some of the burden off your lunch lines. End the day by wheeling it to the gymnasium for concessions at the volleyball game.

It only takes one cart and one staff member to feed hundreds of students every day from anywhere in your school. Since mobile carts don’t require any infrastructure changes, you can expand your school foodservice without breaking the bank.

“We’ve seen schools get creative with their mobile grab-and-go carts, which helps them get the absolute most out of the investment,” said Audrey Casey Pearson, Chief Brand Ambassador for LTI.

Reduce your food waste and strengthen your share table program

Do you have a share table program  or want to start one?

Change the way students perceive a share table program with vibrant mobile carts. This will establish a fun, welcoming environment where students can donate packaged food and hungry students can select items from the table without feeling embarrassed or discouraged.

“Share tables are such a great way to help nourish your entire student body,” said Casey Pearson. “Plus, schools can include more cold food items and exciting hot meals like wrapped burgers, pizza and more in their share table program — so long as they comply with local and state regulations.”

Expand real-world educational opportunities

Mobile carts can also prepare your students in another way: young people get hands-on business experience.

“Schools are turning their mobile carts into student-run operations where teenagers can get real-world lessons on professional communication, financial management and other business essentials,” Casey Pearson said.

With a reputation for career-learning programs, your school can become recognized as a leader that teaches life skills that help students succeed.

Select the right mobile cart to give your school a meaningful ROI

Schools are always looking for ways to get the most from their limited budgets. But with increased meal participation and educational opportunities, investing in mobile carts offers a huge payback.

For example, LTI’s grab-and-go carts are crafted from molded fiberglass and stainless steel and can still look new even 20 years later. That’s far longer than any plastic or laminated unit.

By investing in the right mobile cart, schools multiply the number of spots they can properly feed their students, offer young people critical life lessons and add flexibility to their foodservice program.

“As schools look for creative ways to improve their foodservice, don’t overlook the power of a grab-and-go cart,” said Casey Pearson.

More Resources

To learn more about how your school can get the most out of its serving systems, visit our K-12 page or access our in-depth educational guide, “The Impact of Transforming Your K-12 Cafeteria: How Beautiful Serving Counters, Mobile Grab-and-Go Carts & Flexible Serving Systems Inspire More Meal Participation.”

To ask questions or request a quote, don’t hesitate to connect with the LTI team, and an expert will promptly reach out with answers.