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Food Service

The Environmental Charter School strives to live into its values and policies when providing food. Each day, the ECS Food Service team serves fresh and delicious meals in a friendly and welcoming environment. Meals are at least 85% made from scratch and never frozen and always free. 

ECS partners with a local organization, Community Kitchen, to provide students with healthy meals while reducing food waste. These practices may cause occasional substitutions and menu changes due to the availability of fresh produce or supply.

As part of its Wellness Policy, ECS maintains a representative wellness committee comprised of parents and caregivers, students, representatives of the school nutrition program, physical education teachers, health education teachers, school health professionals social services staff members, school administrators, and community partners. 

Contact the ECS Wellness Committee to share your suggestions. 

This menu has been so great for the kids

and I appreciate how diverse and healthy it is. I never thought I would see my kids excited about anything not called 'breakfast for lunch day.'”

Jocelyn, Intermediate School Parent

Here are some key features and benefits of our school food service:

MiddleSchoolLunch

  1. Nutritious Menus: ECS strives to bring fresh, kid-friendly, and delicious meals to students by incorporating fresh, locally sourced ingredients whenever possible that are at least 85% made from scratch and never frozen.

  2. Dietary Accommodations: We recognize that every child has unique dietary requirements or restrictions. We are committed to accommodating various dietary preferences and restrictions. Our dedicated staff is available to assist you in finding suitable choices for your child.

  3. Food Safety and Quality: Your child's safety is our top priority. We strictly adhere to the highest food safety and quality standards, maintaining a clean and hygienic environment in our kitchens and serving areas.

  4. Local Partnerships: ECS partners with a local organization, Community Kitchen, to provide students with healthy, cost-effective meals while reducing food waste contributing to sustainable practices, and decreasing our carbon footprint. These practices may cause occasional substitutions and menu changes due to the availability of fresh produce or supply.

  5. Special Events and Celebrations: From themed lunches to holiday celebrations, we aim to make the dining experience enjoyable, engaging, and educational for your child. We organize special events and promotions throughout the school year such as Harvest Fest, adding an extra touch of excitement and fun to their meals.

  6. Online Payment: Our secure payment portal, School Cafe, ensures a hassle-free payment experience.

  7. Nutrition Education: We believe in empowering students to make informed choices about their health and nutrition. Our food service program promotes healthy eating habits and instills a lifelong appreciation for nutritious food.

  8. Year-Round Dedication to the Whole Child: We don’t stop just because school isn’t in session! We recognize that summer and long breaks from school are challenging for some folks. The food service team collaborates closely with ECS’s dedicated student services tea to ensure an accessible summer food service program as well as support during school breaks.

If you have any questions, concerns, or specific dietary needs, please reach out to niki.hutcherson@ecspgh.org. We look forward to serving your family and nurturing your child's well-being through our delicious and nutritious meals.

Thank you for choosing ECS Food Service!