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.
We are currently seeking passionate and dedicated individuals to join our efforts in fostering a healthier school environment! Our committee is committed to driving initiatives that support equitable student nutrition, operational sustainability, and robust wellness policies across the district.
This past year has been one of significant progress. We successfully launched and maintained an equitable, allergy-safe, district-wide snack program and successfully expanded the NOW Program to serve students across the entire district. As we look toward the 2026/2027 school year, we are excited to continue this momentum with new fundraising strategies and enhanced wellness policy integrations. If you are interested in joining ECSWAC please email a letter of interest to Niki Hutcherson niki.hutcherson@ecspgh.org This volunteer opportunity does require clearances.
This year, we are raising funds district-wide to ensure that all students receive a safe snack during in-school celebrations.
Your donation will help to provide students with healthy snacks to fuel them throughout the year. We are grateful for your donation of any amount to support our students!
ECS's NOW (Nutrition Over the Weekend) Program provides healthy meals for families to enjoy over the weekends. This program is designed to support students in maintaining their energy and focus, helping them return to school each week ready to learn and thrive.
Participation in this program is completely voluntary and confidential. Should your family be interested, beginning September 11, 2026 your student will receive a brown bag filled with nutritious, easy-to-prepare food, shelf stable items at the end of each week (Friday afternoon) delivered confidentially. Please compete this survey to sign up for the NOW Program.
Donate!
Please consider a donation to the NOW Program of any amount and help support your ECS community! A donation of just $5.00 will send home a nutrition pack that includes shelf stable, easy to prepare items consisting of two meals with protein, fruit, cereal/grain bars, vegetables, milk and juice.
Please consider a donation to our 2026-2027 NOW fund using the QR Code below or visit the donation page!
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Online Payment: Our secure payment portal, School Cafe, ensures a hassle-free payment experience.
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.
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.
