In most cases, no. Scratch cooking enables smarter purchasing, less waste, and more menu flexibility. That combination frequently makes scratch-made meals more cost-efficient than pre-cooked or processed alternatives.
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Transform student learning through fresh meals

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Fuel wellness, tradition, and student identity.

Make campus dining
a destination.
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Nourish health, dignity, and connection.

Power productivity and workplace culture.


Transform student learning through fresh meals

Fuel wellness, tradition, and student identity.

Make campus dining a destination.
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Nourish health, dignity, and connection.
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Power productivity and workplace culture.

Charter School, New Orleans, LA
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Student, Charter School, New Orleans, LA

University, La Grande, OR

Community College, Greenfield, MA

Public Charter School, Nashville, TN

Intermediate School, Rutland, VT

Preparatory School in Albuquerque, NM

University, La Grande, OR

New dining program welcomed diverse students with culturally aware service and scratch-made meals – boosting daily participation. Within the first two weeks of service, student meal participation rose 15 percentage points, rising from 42% to 57%.
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Barre City Schools recently hit their highest lunch participation yet, with 83% of students accessing school lunch!
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Modern menus, student voice, and fresh branding drove a 50% increase in daily diners.
Results:
+50% Increase in daily student traffic
+60% Meal Plan Usage
85% very satisfied with the food
88% Noticed improved variety and quality
90% Say offerings better reflect their preferences
Scratch kitchens, fast: we audit, optimize, and upgrade your kitchen for efficient, scratch-made meals.
Reimagined cafeterias: we modernize dining spaces to create warm, inviting environments.
People who shine: we train your team in hospitality and culinary excellence for lasting impact.
Verify that your provider is actually making meals from scratch and how you can make the transition.
A full freezer can mean more pre-cooked or partially cooked meals that are then reheated.
Refrigerators are where raw, perishable products are stored. Look for fruits and vegetables and proteins in stages of being prepared.
Scratch cooking means breaking down components of dishes. You should see cutting boards, knives, mixing bowls, colanders, and more regularly in use.
Scratch cooking means you are often preparing recipes within recipes, including these items which contribute significantly to flavor.
A lot of unused or neglected equipment usually indicates a lack of scratch cooking.
You may not have enough information yet to understand your program’s cooking practices. Start by asking questions, observing prep, and talking with staff. The key is to get clarity on what’s really happening in the kitchen.

Our signature hospitality training program empowers teams to create warm, personal connections that turn meals into memorable experiences.
Our chefs create scratch made menus with restaurant-level quality, blending creativity and flavor to inspire every guest.
As a privately-held, mission focused company, we put people and purpose at the center of every decision we make.
We design nimble, tailored programs that adapt to each partner’s community and create dining experiences that feel unique.
At Genuine Foods, we believe excellence in food service starts with people.
We go beyond meals to elevate how food is prepared, served, and experienced.

Hospitality training that transforms service into connection
Warmth, care, and confidence are at the heart of unforgettable dining experiences. Genuine Moments is our signature hospitality training program that empowers food service teams to serve with purpose, elevate guest interactions, and create dining spaces where everyone feels welcome.
In most cases, no. Scratch cooking enables smarter purchasing, less waste, and more menu flexibility. That combination frequently makes scratch-made meals more cost-efficient than pre-cooked or processed alternatives.
We understand the importance of local presence, and we design our programs accordingly.
Every Genuine Foods partnership includes on the ground support for locally hired team members. Our regional leadership teams work closely with school and site staff, ensuring that service is personal, consistent, and responsive from day one.
Yes, we are happy to help with this common challenge. Whether you’re working with limited equipment, a legacy re-therm setup, or a mix of models across locations, we meet you where you are.
Our team has deep experience in adapting facilities, optimizing existing assets, and building flexible scratch-cooking models, including hybrid and commissary support. We turn constraints into creative, cost-effective solutions.
Transition success is one of our core strengths. We use a proven playbook developed over years of launching programs across schools, workplaces, and senior living communities.
Here’s what our partners say:
“We had good support; we had good communication... What stood out I think is the availability to call somebody and get action from them. The follow through with people is really strong.”
Let us show you what a truly seamless launch looks like.
Sustainability isn’t a buzzword for us - it’s built into how we work. We prioritize:
Each program is customized to reflect your values and regional partnerships.
Absolutely. We have audited financials available upon request, along with references from long-term partners who trust us to deliver on complex, multi-site programs. We’re growing nationally and our operational discipline and financial transparency make us a stable, scalable choice.
Yes. In fact, we prefer it. Our model supports upskilling and retaining existing team members whenever possible. Through our Genuine Moments hospitality training and hands-on coaching, we turn existing teams into powerful culture-builders.
We can move quickly without sacrificing quality. Most transitions are completed within 4-8 weeks, including planning, training, sourcing, and communications. Our dedicated transition team manages every step and ensures you’re fully supported before, during, and after launch.