When it comes to opening and operating a successful independent restaurant, there are many factors to consider — location, size and staffing to name a few. It’s also important to take the time to put together a well-thought-out menu, especially for new restaurants.
At Evanston Township High School (ETHS), meals are a big production. That’s because the school has four student cafeterias that its central kitchen serves, along with a cafeteria for staff, 12 elementary schools in a separate district and four area daycares. Combined, these schools and daycares have over 5,000 attendees with around 40% participating in the lunch program throughout the school...
Due to labor shortages, many K-12 kitchens struggle to provide from-scratch meals to students. Some of these kitchens also may not be designed with the equipment needed to properly support a scratch cooking model. However, there are grants and assistance programs available to support school districts with a move toward school menu planning that incorporates fresh fruits, vegetables and proteins.
