East Orange School District and Chartwells K12 Team Up to Bring Fresh Flavors to School Cafeterias
Chartwells K12 and East Orange School District Partner to Serve Up Happy & Healthy in Cafeterias Across the District
East Orange, NJ – June 29, 2026 – As the school year winds down and students look ahead to summer break, East Orange School District is already giving families something exciting to look forward to for the fall. Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, the district will welcome Chartwells K12 as its new foodservice provider, bringing fresh menu options, fun food experiences, and innovative programs to cafeterias across the district. By serving food kids love to eat, creating opportunities for fun and discovery, and fostering spaces where students can connect and recharge, Chartwells K12, in partnership with East Orange School District, is committed to making sure students leave the cafeteria happier and healthier than when they came in.
Over the upcoming school year, Chartwells will be introducing new menu options, gathering student feedback, and making other changes to enhance the mealtime experience. Some of the things kids can look forward to when it comes to mealtime include new recipes, concepts, and programs coming this fall.
Food Kids Love to Eat
Chartwells’ team of chefs and dietitians plan to introduce more variety to cafeteria menus featuring recipes with kid-approved foods. New culinary offerings coming this fall include:
Seasonal, trend-driven recipes: Offering seasonal campaigns and a limited-time offer recipes, refreshed each school year with thoughtfully chosen themes that align with current trends among school-aged children. Each school year features unique themes, with recipes carefully selected by our chefs to ensure quality, student appeal and meeting all USDA meal component and nutrient requirements.
Farm to School: Proudly incorporating locally sourced and minimally processed food. A promise to be an active part of the surrounding community and build a healthier future with partnerships with local farms.
Options for every grade level: Students can expect menus tailored to them with fan-favorites always in rotation. From Turkey Barbacoa TOTchos to General Tso’s Popcorn Chicken, to Aloha Pizza, there is always something for everyone on the menu.
Chartwells is inspiring healthy eating habits to spark a culinary curiosity to last a lifetime through fun and engaging programs.
Discovery Kitchen: Designed to make nutrition education fun and entertaining, Chartwells chefs and dietitians have worked together to create curriculums that get kids cooking, trying new foods, and learning about what they’re eating. Each month has a different theme and activities will be adapted for the current meal programs. For example, October is “Seed to Table” and December is “Spice it Up.”
Student Choice: Giving middle and high school students a voice in deciding which food concepts are featured and new menu items that will be available, Student Choice brings the latest food trends to school menus.
Global Eats: an immersive engagement program that uses the power of food to connect students with diverse cultures and flavors
Serving Up Happy & Healthy
Through this partnership, East Orange School District and Chartwells K12 will be feeding approximately 8,500 students across 21 schools, resulting in over 3 million meals being served annually. With this exciting opportunity, Chartwells will be committed to hiring qualified operators and associates across the community to bring happy and healthy food service to East Orange cafeterias. Highlights of working with Chartwells include family-friendly schedules, no night or weekend work, hiring incentives, and more.
East Orange School District is in good company with other school districts in New Jersey that partner with Chartwells K12 for their food service operations, including Union City Public Schools, KIPP Newark Public Schools, Paterson Public Schools, and more.
About East Orange Public Schools
The East Orange School District is located in Essex County, New Jersey, and serves approximately 8,500 students. The East Orange School District is committed to providing a high-quality education that prepares students for college, careers, and life. Through innovative programming and community partnerships, EOSD empowers students to achieve their full potential. For more information on the district and its 21 public schools (pre-k through grade 12), visit the district website: www.eastorange.k12.nj.us. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn.
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Media Contacts:
Mr. Jonathan Squibb, Director of Communications for Chartwells K12
E-Mail: Jonathan.Squibb@compass-usa.com
Phone: 304-639-6328
Ms. Terry Corallo, EOSD Director of Communications & Community Relations
E-Mail: teresa.corallo@eastorange.k12.nj.us
Phone: 862-233-7300 X28401