FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Below are some of the most common questions we have been asked. If you have a question, and do not see it answered below, please send us a note.
Where does our food come from?
Logistically, our lunches are provided by Cater To You Dining Services’ (CTY) commissary kitchen on Beekman Street. There, all meals are prepared fresh from scratch daily.
On a larger scale, CTY’s food philosophy is grounded in sourcing locally and seasonally whenever possible. This not only allows for the highest level of food quality, but also the tastiest and most nutritious selections for the students and staff at Stephen Gaynor School. CTY’s kitchen utilizes components that taste great and are as clean as possible. As a company, CTY devotes a lot of time and effort into sourcing and procuring ingredients/products that come from trusted suppliers, farms, and manufacturers that use healthy, sustainable practices.
What will my child receive each day?
You can be assured your child will have a hot lunch daily. Everyday offerings consist of: a hot entree, a hot vegetarian/vegan entree, and complementary seasonal vegetable side, as well as a whole grain, potato, rice, or pasta accompaniment. Students also have a choice of the sandwich of the day, protein pack, or a green salad, which they can then dress themselves with fresh vegetables, toppings, and housemade salad dressings. Fresh, whole fruit is also available every day. As is our longstanding tradition, Friday is Pizza Day at Stephen Gaynor School. Desserts consist of fresh, seasonal, whole or cut fruit Monday through Thursday. Friday may include one of the following: fresh-baked cookie or brownie, fresh-baked banana bread, or zucchini bread.
Where can I find the menu?
You can view the menu in advance online, at Stephen Gaynor School’s dining services website: https://cty-sgs.com/menus.
Do we need to pre-order lunches?
No. Pre-ordering is not necessary. We suggest referring to the daily menu available online and reviewing with your child. A variety of meal offerings will be sent fresh every day, ensuring that every student has options.
What if my child does not like an offering?
If your child does not like any of the daily offerings (including sandwiches and protein packs), we suggest packing a lunch on that day.
How does CTY handle allergies?
CTY handles allergies in a multitude of ways. For a full description of all practices at Stephen Gaynor School, please visit: https://cty-sgs.com/allergies.
CTY can accommodate separate meals that meet special dietary requirements or that are allergy-friendly (big 9 allergens) with our kitchen limitations in mind (shared space). Allergen-free (big 9 allergens) or special dietary alternative meals can be made available daily. Cater To You does not prepare or serve meals which it knows or has reason to believe contain peanuts and/or tree-nuts.
Does CTY supply Kosher meals?
CTY facilitates the daily procurement of certified Kosher meals. These meals strive to be similar to the meals served to the full school community on that day. The Kosher meals consist of a salad, entree (protein or vegetarian), and two sides.
Are students allowed to order food from off campus?
Unfortunately, no, students may not order food from off campus.