Nourishing, scratch-made meals for every stage of life

Who we serve 

What our customers say 

K-12 public schools

Our participation in lunch and breakfast is up 50% more than what we were doing.

Charter School, New Orleans, LA

K-12 public schools

I love the barbecue chicken, red beans, and the spaghetti. Keep doing a great job!

Student, Charter School, New Orleans, LA

Higher education

We’ve actually had students who we feed that say: “... they dream of this potato dish or this amazing chicken dish...or the desserts...

University, La Grande, OR

Higher education

They are absolutely phenomenal in terms of helping us develop menus catered to all of our needs as well as providing a variety of diverse, thoughtfully prepared menu options.

University, La Grande, OR

Higher education

Things that I like the most about Genuine Foods is just that the responsiveness... whenever we have a need they... accommodate us and make the change.

Community College, Greenfield, MA

Higher education

..I just wanted to say thank you for...always giving us so many options and I just love the paninis!

Student, La Grande, OR

K-12 public schools

Parents, students and our staff are just complimenting... the quality of food, the type of food, the selections...

Public Charter School, Nashville, TN

K-12 public schools

We have been very much impressed with the quality of the food that's being provided to our students.

Intermediate School, Rutland, VT

K-12 public schools

They have really listened to what our community likes.

Preparatory School in Albuquerque, NM

Higher education

As we kept going into the relationship, we started to realize how much the Genuine Foods team cares and is connected to our outcomes for our students.

University, La Grande, OR

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The impact we create

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K-12 public schools

Valor Public Charter School

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%.

36%
lunch participation
K-12 public schools

Barre Unified Union School District

Barre City Schools recently hit their highest lunch participation yet, with 83% of students accessing school lunch!

83%
highest lunch participation
Higher education

New Mexico Junior College

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

50%
daily student traffic
K-12 public schools

Valor Public Charter School

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%.

36%
lunch participation
view more
K-12 public schools

Barre Unified Union School District

Barre City Schools recently hit their highest lunch participation yet, with 83% of students accessing school lunch!

83%
highest lunch participation
view more
Higher education

New Mexico Junior College

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

36%
daily student traffic
view more

Local delivery with a nationwide reach

Select your state

New York

By becoming the first school we serve in your state, you’ll be our flagship partner, receiving our full investment in your first 90 days:

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.

1,293,708
meals served

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Become the Flagship

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Is your dining program really scratch-made?

Verify that your provider is actually making meals from scratch and how you can make the transition.

Freezer use 

How much of your freezer space is being utilized?

A full freezer can mean more pre-cooked or partially cooked meals that are then reheated.

Nearly all
About half
Minimal — mostly staples and backups
I don’t know
Back

Refrigerator Use

How much of your refrigerated space is being utilized?

Refrigerators are where raw, perishable products are stored. Look for fruits and vegetables and proteins in stages of being prepared.

Nearly all
About half
Minimal — mostly staples and backups
I don’t know
Back

Food Preparation

Are vegetables, proteins, and grains regularly washed, chopped, or seasoned on-site?

Scratch cooking means breaking down components of dishes. You should see cutting boards, knives, mixing bowls, colanders, and more regularly in use.

Rarely
Sometimes
Consistently
I don’t know
Back

Visible Ingredients

When looking around the kitchen during prep, what types of foods are most often seen on prep tables and counters?

Mostly pre-packaged or pre-processed items (e.g., heat-and-serve trays, frozen entrées)
A mix of pre-processed foods and some whole ingredients
Primarily whole foods
I don’t know
Back

Sauces & Basics

Are dressings/marinades, sauces, stocks or salsas made from scratch in the kitchen?

Scratch cooking means you are often preparing recipes within recipes, including these items which contribute significantly to flavor.

Never
Occasionally
Regularly
I don’t know
Back

Cooking Practices

Is batch cooking - preparing food in smaller quantities throughout service for freshness - part of daily practice?

No
Sometimes
Regularly
I don’t know
Back

Kitchen Equipment

Which best describes your kitchen equipment use?

A lot of unused or neglected equipment usually indicates a lack of scratch cooking.

Mainly warming ovens/microwaves are used, all else idle
Some cooking equipment used, some idle
Full use of ovens, ranges, kettles, and prep tools
I don’t know
Back

Staff Training

Do staff receive training in scratch cooking techniques and standards?

A lot of unused or neglected equipment usually indicates a lack of scratch cooking.

No
Some, but not consistent
Yes, ongoing and standardized
I don’t know
Back

Do More Digging

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.

Reach out to Genuine Foods today to learn how a transition toward scratch cooking can improve freshness, nutrition, and engagement.

Talk with our Team

Genuine moments hospitality

Our signature hospitality training program empowers teams to create warm, personal connections that turn meals into memorable experiences.

Culinary innovation

Our chefs create scratch made menus with restaurant-level quality, blending creativity and flavor to inspire every guest.

Mission driven and independent

As a privately-held, mission focused company, we put people and purpose at the center of every decision we make.

Customization and flexibility

We design nimble, tailored programs that adapt to each partner’s community and create dining experiences that feel unique.

Become Flagship Account

Featured insights

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Setting the standard for food service excellence

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.

Genuine Moments 

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.

Explore Genuine Moments

Frequently
asked questions

Clear answers to help you make confident decisions

ASK A QUESTION

Do scratch-made meals increase the cost of a dining program?

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.

You don’t currently have operations in our city or state. How will you support us locally? 

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.

Our kitchen isn’t built for scratch cooking. Can you still help?

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. 

We’ve had rough transitions in the past. How do you ensure a smooth rollout?

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. 

How do you support sustainability and local sourcing?

Sustainability isn’t a buzzword for us - it’s built into how we work. We prioritize:

  • Local farms and producers for fresher, regional ingredients 
  • Composting and waste reduction programs 
  • Student and community-facing education on food systems and sustainability 

Each program is customized to reflect your values and regional partnerships.

Can you prove your financial stability?

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.

Can you work with our existing staff?

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.

How long does it take to launch a new program?

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.

Bring real food and real impact to your community

844-436-3663
contact@genuinefoods.com
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