River East School - MEALS AND NUTRITION

MEALS AND NUTRITION

Four-panel carousel showing farm-fresh eggs, child with fruit basket, children eating healthy lunch, and vibrant fresh produce

We believe in fostering a life-long love of healthy living. Children’s meals, including breakfast, lunch, and snacks, are all organic and made at the school. The Friends always have an open invitation to join the cooking and preparation process. We emphasize the importance of pausing to focus, notice, and wonder about each ingredient, how it grows, where it comes from, and how it made its way to us. The process of cooking and eating together with the friends is at the core of River East School.

Much of the produce we use is locally sourced, and our menu is mainly plant-based, with beans, tofu, and wild, sustainably caught seafood options for protein. We also offer vegan options with every meal. In addition, we partner with local farmers and resources that provide fresh, organic produce, which benefits healthy agriculture and small business.

The majority of our food items are made from scratch, including our loaves of bread (with gluten-free options), date syrups, cheeses, jams, and many, many sauces. River East School is a sugar-free school which means we use only fruit, such as bananas and dates, to sweeten meals, snacks, and treats. We spend days creating delicious, raw desserts for birthday celebrations with the children for their celebrating peers. This exploration alone brings a multi-faceted component to cooking and deepening friendships. The friends love spending time in the kitchen, and with it comes the quiet but authentic application of academic concepts like reading, math, science, storytelling, and experimentation.

Two-panel image showing children rolling dough and kneading bread, exploring math concepts through hands-on cooking

SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS WORKING WITH DOUGH IS A POWERFUL EXAMPLE OF EXPLORING EARLY MATH CONCEPTS IN THE KITCHEN...

Young children learn best when they are doing, playing, and able to relate – cooking checks all these boxes. It provides an experience where concepts become meaningful and that is when the highest level of learning takes place and knowledge is retained.

Cooking together presents an opportunity that is more about noticing and wondering, rather than teaching. At RES, we utilize the kitchen as a place to build children’s intuition and help to create a strong foundation for a multitude of skills that they will carry with them throughout their lives.

The individual child connects directly to critical learning of science and mathematics through the exploration of one’s emergent identity.

Children's hands cracking fresh eggs into black bowl, learning food preparation and cooking skills, and practicing fine motor skills.

Smiling child holding large wooden spoon with batter, engaging in cooking activity in bright classroom

Three children kneading bread dough together at wooden table, collaborating on hands-on cooking project

Children gathered around colorful array of fresh organic vegetables and fruits, using healthy foods as part of our curriculum.

Child preparing fresh apples at long wooden table with other children, learning food preparation in family-style kitchen setting

Jars of vibrant natural watercolors made from vegetables and fruits in rainbow of colors including beet, carrot, turmeric, and spinach

Children serving themselves family-style from communal dishes, practicing independence and healthy eating habits during mealtime

Child's hands shaping homemade healthy cookies made with oats and natural ingredients, creating sugar-free treats

River East School weekly menu board showing Monday and Tuesday meals, featuring raw chia dessert, colorful wraps, fresh fruit platter, and weekly menu header

River East School weekly menu continuation showing Wednesday through Friday meals, breakfast sauces and dips, lunch options, and colorful birthday celebration cupcakes

Based on our menu, our nutrition program, and meal plan can be customized for each child.

We work with families to discuss food history, sensitivity, and goals, as well as healthy habits. We share nutritional milestones during parent conferences alongside other vital issues such as cognitive and social development. This emphasis on health and awareness is based on current scientific research regarding the importance of food and timeless traditions revolving around food, family, and community.

Parents will receive an email with our weekly menu before the beginning of the school week. The menu will also be posted inside the school. Please always feel free to reach out to Dina with any food-related questions or recipe requests!

dina@rivereastschool.org

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