Owen J. Roberts School District Awards Foodservice Contract to Chartwells School Dining Services

CHESTER COUNTY, Pa., Dec. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Owen J. Roberts School District today announced that its foodservice contract has been awarded to Chartwells School Dining Services.  Under the new agreement that went into effect on November 11, 2013, Chartwells will now manage the District's foodservice operations and will offer fresh and healthy breakfast and lunch services to over 5,000 students in five elementary schools, one middle school and one high school within the district.

"Chartwells was unanimously chosen as our new foodservice provider due to the company's commitment to the students; feeding healthy and delicious meals that also adhere to nutrition and safety guidelines," said Jaclin Krumrine, Chief Financial Officer/Board Secretary of Owen J. Roberts.  "It can be a challenge to create menu items that follow USDA guidelines while also making them appealing to students.  We were very impressed with Chartwells' emphasis on sourcing fresh fruits and vegetables and the efforts of company chefs and dietitians in developing recipes that enhance the nutritional value of student's favorite meals, like pizza, for example."

Chartwells dining centers consist of stations that feature comfort foods, international flavors, fresh crisp greens, lean meat proteins, cheeses, fruits and vegetables in tasty combinations.  Other specialties are also available daily such as the company's signature homemade whole grain pizza called Pizzam!, grab and go salads, sandwiches, fruit and yogurt parfaits, hot and cold meal combinations, sandwich and salad bars, quesadillas, burritos and much more. 

In addition to developing, sourcing and serving unique and healthy food choices, Chartwells supports nutrition and culinary education in its dining centers and even beyond, in the classrooms. "In choosing our foodservice provider, we were looking for a partner who was passionate about not only serving, but teaching students about healthy eating and living a well balanced life.  Chartwells has several programs in place that deliver on this in a fun and engaging way, including various activities, signage, food tastings and community service initiatives." 

Chartwells' Simply Good nutritional campaigns highlight important topics throughout the year such as sustainable eating, breakfast, how to eat a complete meal and more. Monthly food focuses encourage students to try seasonal and nutrient-rich foods including apples, whole grains, yogurt, turkey, legumes and citrus.  The company also hosts a Chefs 2 Schools program where professional and celebrity chefs come into the schools to sample and demo new, healthy recipes that students may be unfamiliar with.  These campaigns also filter into the classrooms when possible with curriculum that aligns with what is happening in the cafeteria. 

"Chartwells is committed to providing nutritious, high quality meals that will get students through their day.  We look forward to serving the students and the Owen J. Roberts community," said Nancy Quinn, Regional Vice President for Chartwells School Dining Services.  "Each day we come to school, we strive to make a positive impact – on the students, school officials, parents and members of the community."   

For more information about Owen J. Roberts School District, please visit www.ojrsd.com.  For more information on Chartwells, please visit www.eatlearnlive.com.

About Chartwells School Dining Services

Chartwells, a division of Charlotte, NC-based Compass Group, provides dining services for over 550 public school districts and private schools, comprising over 6,000 separate elementary, middle and high schools nationwide.  For more information about Chartwells School Dining Services, visit www.eatlearnlive.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.  

SOURCE Chartwells School Dining Services