Food & Nutrition

Food & Nutrition

W Montessori Academy · Elmhurst, IL

Meals That
Nourish Every
Growing Mind

Freshly made, organically sourced, delivered warm to our door every single school day — because what children eat shapes who they become.

🌿 100% Organic 🍳 Made From Scratch 🚚 Delivered Daily 🥗 Veg Option ✓ CACFP Certified
View September Menu Allergy FAQ

Catering in partnership with ChildEats — Chicago's organic childcare catering.

100+
Organic Ingredients Used
Daily
Fresh Morning Prep & Delivery
Zero
Artificial Additives or Trans Fats
Reg + Veg
Two Separate Monthly Menus

Our Catering Partner

100%
Organic
Sourced
ChildEatschildeats.com

ChildEats brings a professional kitchen standard to every meal — sourcing 100+ organic, regional ingredients and preparing everything from scratch each morning. Soups, entrées, snacks: nothing is reheated or packaged. It arrives at our door warm, fresh, and kid-approved.

🌱 Organic & Regional 🌾 Whole Grain ✕ No HFCS ✕ No Growth Hormones ✕ No Artificial Additives
Visit ChildEats.com
At a Glance
100+
Organic Ingredients
Daily
Fresh Preparation
2
Menus (Regular + Veg)
Monthly
Seasonal Updates

Food is carefully crafted by a team of professionals, prepared the morning of and gently packed for maximum freshness — including soups.

Our Commitment

How We Think
About Food

Children who eat well, learn well. Every meal is an investment in a child's lifelong relationship with health.

What We Stand For
🥦 Local & Organic 🌾 Whole Grains 👨‍🍳 Made From Scratch 🍓 Seasonal Fruits 💚 Non-GMO 🥕 High Nutrient Density 🐔 Hormone-Free Proteins 🌿 Regional Sourcing 🍽️ Kid-Approved Recipes 📋 Monthly Transparency Lists 🔬 Dietitian-Guided Menus 🌍 Sustainability-Minded
We Are For
  • ✓Local & organic ingredients
  • ✓Made-from-scratch cooking
  • ✓Great-tasting, kid-approved recipes
  • ✓Non-GMO choices & whole grains
  • ✓High nutrient density, low processing
We Avoid
  • ✕High-fructose corn syrup
  • ✕Artificial additives & trans fats
  • ✕Highly processed or "mystery" proteins
  • ✕Growth hormones & antibiotics
  • ✕Reheated or pre-packaged meals
100+
Organic Ingredients
sourced regionally
5×
Days a Week
fresh delivery every school day
0
Artificial Additives
no HFCS, no trans fats
4+
Standards Exceeded
CACFP · DCFS · USDA · ISBE

Safety & Compliance

Held to the Highest Standard

Our food service is fully compliant with state and federal child nutrition regulations — and consistently goes further.

  • Meals arrive in USDA-compliant hot/cold containers at designated campus stations each morning.
  • Detailed monthly ingredient lists published — full allergen transparency for every family.
  • Menus reviewed by registered dietitians for age-appropriate nutritional balance.
  • Separate Vegetarian menu with equivalent weekly coverage and ingredient lists.
  • Hot holding equipment ensures safe serving temperatures throughout the school day.
  • Ingredients continuously evaluated for organic certification and nutrient density.
CACFP
Child & Adult Care Food Program
DCFS
IL Dept. of Children & Family Services
USDA
Nutrition & Organic Standards
ISBE
IL State Board of Education Guidelines

Allergy & Dietary Questions?

Our team works with each family to accommodate allergies, sensitivities, and dietary needs. Full monthly ingredient lists available on request.

w@montessorit.com →

More Than a Meal

Food as Part
of the Curriculum

We connect children with the full food journey — farm to kitchen to table. Every meal is a conversation about where food comes from, why it matters, and how it helps us grow.

Seasonal & Curriculum-Connected

Monthly menus align with classroom lessons on seasons, sustainability, and where food comes from.

Kid-Approved Every Time

Recipes are tested for real kid enjoyment — building positive, lasting relationships with healthy food.

Community-Rooted Sourcing

Buying from regional farms supports local growers and teaches children why that choice matters.

100+
Organic Ingredients
5×
Days / Week
Zero
Artificial Additives
2
Menu Options
Lunch + PM Snack
Included Every School Day

Common Questions

Food & Allergy FAQ

How are food allergies handled?
Menus are designed with common allergens in mind and full monthly ingredient lists are published. Families with specific allergy needs should contact us — our team coordinates with ChildEats to review accommodation options case by case.
Is food really made fresh every day?
Yes. ChildEats prepares every meal — including soups — the morning of delivery. Nothing is pre-cooked from a previous day. Meals arrive in proper hot/cold containers and are temperature-held on campus.
Where do the ingredients come from?
ChildEats sources from regional, local, and certified organic suppliers. Ingredients are continuously evaluated for freshness, nutrient density, and sourcing quality across 100+ organic components used in their menus.
What meals are included?
Families can opt into Lunch, PM Snack, or both. Hormone-free and organic milk is also available. Both Regular and Vegetarian menus are offered monthly with full weekly coverage.
How often do menus change?
Menus rotate monthly, following seasonal ingredient availability. New menus are posted in advance. Both the Regular and Vegetarian menus update on the same cycle, and full ingredient lists accompany each.
What regulatory standards are met?
Our food service meets and exceeds CACFP, DCFS (IL), USDA, and ISBE nutritional guidelines. Menus are reviewed by registered dietitians to ensure age-appropriate portioning and nutritional balance at every meal.

Get in Touch

Questions About
Our Food Program?

We're happy to discuss dietary accommodations, allergen details, or enrollment in our Lunch & Snack program.

Email Us About Food View September Menu