Healthy Dining

List of 7 frequently asked questions.

• With such an emphasis on nutrition and variety, does that mean the Niczowski, Temovsky, Arrigo Dining Hall will strive to offer organic and local foods wherever possible?

  Our new Dining Hall program will reflect CDS’ commitment to sustainability and our kitchen will forge a partnership with the Greenbelt Fund and an organization called 100km Foods Inc., allowing us to make use of local products when seasonably available at a reasonable price. We plan to offer seasonal menus and even grow our own fresh herbs and micro greens, and maybe even a school vegetable garden.

• How will you ensure that CDS students embrace all of the healthy offerings and not just queue up at the pizza oven every day? Will the kitchen staff be prepared to recalibrate as needed?

  Admittedly, there will be growing pains in the beginning, but our Aramark kitchen staff are experts at what they do. We will use menu planning to ensure that the choices are laid out in a way that will encourage students to eat a variety of foods. We also won’t have pizza every day!

• My child is a fussy eater and while all of these different stations and options sound amazing, how can I be sure there will be something he/she will want to eat?

  Over time we believe students will be exposed to such a variety of food choices that they will acquire a taste for a much broader range of foods. In the short term, we will make use of our seven marché stations to ensure that on any given day, there are a number of more traditional, broadly adopted foods available. In the case of the most difficult eaters, or severe allergies, our chef will meet with families individually to tailor a program that works.

• My child is only 8 years old, how will they handle the marché style set up?

  Meals will be delivered to the classroom for students in JK-SK and students in Grades 1-3 will be served “family style” with their teachers in the Dining Hall. Students Grade 4 and older will learn to quickly navigate the new servery with lots of guidance in the beginning.

• How will the Niczowski, Temovsky, Arrigo Dining Hall accommodate my child's food allergies and/or sensitivities? Will I have an opportunity to speak with the new kitchen staff in advance so that I am comfortable with what the daily offerings will be?

  A student friendly signage system will alert those with allergies to foods that are a concern. Kitchen staff and CDS staff are also widely aware of students with food allergies and will be proactive in making sure certain foods are avoided. All menus will be available well in advance in easily accessible form, and additionally, staff will meet with those families with allergy concerns.
  
  Allergy and Dietary Restriction Submission Form

• What will happen when my child travels to an off-campus sports game or class field trip during school hours?

  If your son or daughter is on a CDS field trip or at an away athletic game (with the exception of extended or overnight trips) a healthy boxed lunch will be provided.

• My children are involved in clubs that meet at lunch. Will there be a place in the Niczowski, Temovsky, Arrigo Dining Hall for students to have "working lunches" with faculty advisors similar to what they are accustomed to?

  Absolutely. The Dining Hall has plenty of seating and will have a variety of table styles to meet the needs of groups conducting a working lunch, and will also be open for group work/study throughout the day.