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The nation's first interstate school district

Food Services

A smiling young girl holds a plate of food in the foreground, while other children and a blurred background suggest a school cafeteria setting.

Beginning this school year, all schools in our district will be served by a single food service provider, Whitsons Culinary Group. This transition reflects our commitment to providing a consistent, high-quality dining experience for every student while improving efficiency across our schools.

By partnering with one provider districtwide, families can expect a more unified approach to school meals, including consistent menus, nutrition standards, food safety practices, and customer service. The transition also allows us to streamline operations, strengthen purchasing practices, and enhance our ability to provide nutritious, appealing meals to students.

While students may notice some changes to menus and meal offerings, our focus remains the same: serving healthy, balanced meals that support student learning and well-being.

We appreciate the patience and support of our students, families, and staff during this transition and look forward to providing an excellent dining experience throughout the school year.

Explore Whitsons School Nutrition:

  • Whitsons School Nutrition 60-Second Video
    Follow this link for a quick introduction to Whitsons School Nutrition. This brief video gives an overview of Whitsons' mission and the wholesome meals they provide.
  • Learn more about Whitsons Culinary Group.

FDMealPlanner: Interactive Menu Platform

Whitsons uses FDMealplanner, a state-of-the-art mobile menu viewing platform that brings school meal planning to the next level. Through this platform, students, parents, and staff can easily access:

  • Menu planning and meal options
  • Nutritional information and ingredients
  • Real-time allergen details

Stay informed and plan your meals with ease by visiting the interactive menu website on each school's food service page.

Food Safety

Our district does not operate a summer meals program. Whitsons Culinary Group describes its commitment to food safety, including Cyclospora prevention and safe produce handling.

Our Commitment to Food Safety

School Nutrition Program Participation

Our district's schools participate in different school meal programs based on their individual food service operations.

Marion Cross School participates in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. Meals served at this school follow all applicable federal nutrition standards and program requirements established by the USDA.

The district's other three schools do not participate in the federal school meal programs. These schools provide nutritious breakfasts and lunches through the district's food service program and follow district standards for quality, food safety, and balanced meal planning.

Families should refer to their school's Food Services page for school-specific information, including menus, meal pricing, payment options, and program details. If you have questions about your child's school meal program, please contact the Food Services Department.

Hanover High School Food Service
Frances C. Richmond Middle School Food Service
Bernice A. Ray School Food Service
Marion Cross School Food Service

District Food Service Team Participates in Northeast Farm to School Institute

July 2026

The SAU 70 Business Administrator and Marion Cross' Farm to School Team recently attended the Vermont Farm to School Conference, joining educators, school nutrition professionals, farmers, and community partners from across the northeast to explore innovative ways to strengthen school meal programs and connect students with local food.

The conference provided opportunities to learn about best practices in school nutrition, farm-to-school initiatives, sustainable food systems, and strategies for increasing student engagement with healthy, locally sourced foods. Attendees also participated in workshops focused on menu planning, nutrition education, school gardens, and building partnerships with local farms and producers.

Professional learning opportunities like this help our Food Services staff bring new ideas back to our schools, supporting our ongoing commitment to providing nutritious, high-quality meals while creating meaningful connections between students and the food they eat.

"We are always looking for ways to enhance the dining experience for our students," said Teresa Taylor, District Business Administrator. "Attending the Vermont Farm to School Conference allows our team to learn from others, discover new resources, and explore creative approaches that can benefit our school communities."

The district is grateful to the MCS Farm to School Team for their dedication to continuous learning and for their commitment to creating healthy, welcoming school dining environments for all students.

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A close-up of vibrant green and purple leafy plants fills the foreground, while the background displays a presentation slide with text about %22Action Planning: Leading with Your Values%22 and %22Gardens as a metaphor.%22
A recipe for Marinated Steak and Bell Pepper Rolls Ups is shown with a picture of the finished dish in the foreground and the recipe instructions and ingredients in the background.
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