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THE VALUE OF A MEAL PLAN

Dining with Bon Appétit at Claremont McKenna College

As CMC and Bon Appétit Management Company welcome new and returning students to campus, we will continue to implement measures to keep our guests and teams safe in the era of new and shifting COVID variants.  However, while safety is a key priority, it is not our only one. We think we’ve got a great, cooked-from-scratch dining program planned that’s based on the tastes and lifestyles of students at CMC. Rest assured, we’ll be refining and adapting the program based on student feedback to make it even better as we go along.

REASONS TO BUY A MEAL PLAN:

It’s Safe: Our protocols are based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), health and sanitation experts from our Coronavirus Response Team, and local health regulations. We require COVID-19 specific training and health checks for our employees, and we’ve always offered paid sick leave.

Makes Life Easier: Life is difficult enough right now! A meal plan means: No worrying about grocery shopping or meal planning. No dishes. No unexpected financial surprises: for students who have flexible spending dollars, we help them manage their funds appropriately.

It’s Convenient: We offer Grub Hub on line ordering,  lots of freshly made grab-and-go items, and contactless payment — you don’t even have to carry cash!

From Scratch = Flexible: We LOVE food, so we cook it from scratch: stocks, sauces, soups, salsas, you name it (also things that don’t start with S). This means we can be flexible with our recipes to accommodate all sorts of dietary needs without any fuss. It’s our passion to create delicious food that suits every need and taste. Vegan, flexitarian, or avoiding gluten? We’ll have options for you every day.

It’s Healthier: Our chefs make crave-worthy dishes — built on whole grains, deep-color vegetables, fresh fruits, and lean or plant-based proteins — that people look forward to eating every day. They also follow portion control guidelines.

Satisfying Options: From global bowls to seasonal pizzas, there’s always something new to try. And we love suggestions — our chefs don’t use cycle menus or corporate recipes, so they can add in new items with only a few days’ notice.

Seriously Sustainable: COVID-19 may have disrupted the food supply chains, but we’re still committed to upholding our industry-leading commitments to environmentally and socially responsible sourcing, from Farm to Fork partnerships to sustainable seafood. (The Humane Society of the United States ranked us the #1 food service company — the only one with an A+ grade.)

Knowledge is Power: College isn’t just about academics, it’s about learning life skills, too. We are committed to helping students learn to make healthy choices in and outside our café through nutrition & wellness information, education about how food choices impact the environment, and more.

Still Social: Mealtimes are still the perfect time to catch up with friends and make new ones. We’re committed to making our dining spaces both safe and inviting places to hang out, and to offering interactive events to bring students together.

A Letter From Our General Manager

Dear Students, Parents, and Guardians —

Campus dining is an integral part of the campus life experience.  Various studies have shown that eating a well-balanced nutritious meal helps students succeed in the classroom. The food program at Claremont McKenna College is cooked from scratch, including sauces, stocks, and soups. (Salsa, too!) provided by Bon Appétit Management Company, a pioneer in environmentally sound sourcing policies, we’ve developed programs addressing local purchasing, overuse of antibioticssustainable seafoodthe food–climate change connectionhumanely raised meat and eggs, and farmworkers’ rights. We’re grateful to have been recognized by many leading foundations, nonprofits, and industry associations for our work.

Does your student have a special dietary need? We’ve got them covered with plentiful vegan, vegetarian, and made-without-gluten-containing-ingredient options. If they can’t find what they are looking for, we encourage them to just ask one of our helpful managers for what they need.

In addition to saving time and money, being on a meal plan offers a sense of belonging and community. Sharing food is a perfect excuse to catch up with friends, and accidental encounters in the café are the spice of campus life. Our inviting dining spaces encourage lingering, and we regularly have interesting programs and events to keep things lively.

We look forward to and take great pride in serving your student.  Please feel free to contact me by email or phone if I can answer any questions or if you have any suggestions or concerns.

Pam Franco | pam.franco@cafebonappetit.com

Tell Us What You Think

Do you have a specific question, suggestion, or feedback about your meal at a Bon Appétit café? Feel free to browse the previously asked questions below or contact our Bon Appétit managers using this form.

Common Questions

  • I have been trying to eat a healthier diet. Will I be able to find a healthy food choice in the Bon Appétit café?
  • Can you tell me how many calories are in the foods in the Bon Appétit café?
  • How will you handle my concerns about a food allergy?
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