Fast Casual-Type Dining Coming To Loudoun County Schools

LEESBURG, VA—Student feedback is leading Loudoun County Public Schools and two other Northern Virginia school districts to introduce a fast casual-type dining dining program based out of Sterling. LCPS and Alexandria City Public Schools are implementing Cuisine Solutions' Café + Teria program for the 2018-19 school year. Arlington County Public Schools' three high schools tested the pilot program last school year and will be keeping it.

Just like CAVA or similar fast casual restaurant, students customize their meals with various ingredients at Café +Teria. Students choose a base of grain, salad or a wrap, a protein like antibiotic-free chicken, ground beef, or Paneer cheese, a topping of vegetables, cheese and sauces and dressing.

The program started at Academies of Loudoun in Leesburg and serves around 1,600 students. Loudoun County Public Schools plans to add Café + Teria in high schools this school year.

"Cuisine Solutions has worked hard to understand the school nutrition business and has been a valuable partner in our work to bring fresher, speed scratch items into our schools," said Loudoun County Public Schools Nutrition Services Director Dr. Becky Domokos-Bays in a news release. "The Academies of Loudoun venue will offer students a variety of choices and the opportunity to build their own meals from different themes."

The program aims to offer a modern dining experience while incorporating international cuisines like Mexican, Indian, Asian, Mediterranean and Caribbean. Cuisine Solutions provides school partners with recipes, standard operating procedures, name brand and marketing materials to support the new program.

Some of the foods are prepared using the sous-vide method, which fully cooks and pasteurizes the food. Sous-vide means the food is vacuum-sealed and slow cooked in hot water.

Arlington County's program is returning for a second year after a successful pilot run. New additions for this school year will include the Italian bowl with a basil vinaigrette and whole grain pasta.

Image by Scott Suchman, courtesy Cuisine Solutions