Chartwells Recognized As A ‘Center For Excellence’

Chartwells School Dining Services, the company that serves breakfast and lunch to more than 2.5 million school children each day, announced recently that Newtown Public Schools has been named as a Center for Excellence (CFE).

Dan Shields, foodservice director, and his team received the CFE award, which is only given to a selection of school districts nationwide. To date, only 12 Chartwells’ school districts have received the CFE distinction. Newtown was chosen based on its consistent fulfillment of standards including food presentation, innovative menus, merchandising, nutrition education, customer satisfaction, and catering services. Recognition included Newtown’s offering of a wide variety of fresh produce daily at fruit and vegetable bars where students are encouraged to take unlimited portions.

Newtown’s chefs regularly take part in exhibition cooking and carving stations, which help create its innovative menus; in the area of merchandising, Newtown is the first school district in the Northeast to have an “Outtakes” convenience store at the high school. Newtown’s resident dietitian, Jill Patterson, RD, leads a number of nutrition education programs including cafeteria promotion and nutrition education classes.

Newtown was also recognized for customer satisfaction from Ms Patterson, who also leads Youth Advisory Committees to obtain student feedback regarding the foodservice program. Student feedback is then incorporated into menu planning and cafeteria offerings. Newtown was also recognized for offering full-service catering for staff meetings, PTA gatherings, and other school events.

Additionally, Newtown’s foodservice department is a cornerstone for training, innovation, and program development while providing a consistent platform to cascade best practices.

“We’re honored to receive this award, which really belongs to my staff,” said Dan Shields, foodservice director for Chartwells at Newtown. “This exclusive award was a result of a team effort and it is gratifying to know that the company is recognizing all of our hard work and dedication.”

This CFE process underscores Chartwells commitment to providing students and school communities with innovative, financially sound programs that provide great food and a welcoming environment, said the company in a release. It added, “Customers and clients, as well as our associates, benefit from the CFE’s commitment to excellence and training. There is a distinct sense of pride in belonging to the group of CFE school districts. Newtown will now join the team and be designated as a Center for Excellence.”

For more information about Chartwells School Dining Services, visit www.eatlearnlive.com.