The Montessori philosophies of educating the “whole child”, respect of nature, and community awareness can be incorporated into the school lunch program. At Tierra Vista, we believe that healthy and wholesome foods produce healthy and wholesome children who are better prepared for learning and development.

Because the children are involved in gardening from seed to table, they are naturally more interested in eating whole foods and preparing nicely set tables for those delicious healthful foods. The children set tables daily with tablecloths or placemats, real plates, glasses, and cloth napkins. Further, they are responsible for washing their own dishes and clearing the tables, sweeping crumbs and composting appropriate scraps.

The lunch process is a wonderful opportunity for bringing the community together. They serve our family style meal by filling each other‘s plates and give thanks together. In addition, they work as a community to clean the dining room after the meal is done.

SAMPLE MENU
Morning Snack: Sprouted Grain Bread Toasted with Goat Cheese and Dried Fruit Topping

Lunch: Veggie-Ful Spaghetti (Organic tomato sauce with diced carrots, squash, onions, spinach and organic ground beef served over rice spaghetti or organic whole wheat spaghetti), Steamed broccoli, and organic apples

Afternoon Snack: Raw Carrots with Hummus Dip

Note: Sometimes parents think that their child will not eat these foods. However, the meals are prepared with a child-friendly appearance. In addition, including the children in the preparation process makes them more willing to try these foods.

IF YOUR CHILD HAS SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS, TIERRA VISTA IS ABLE TO ALTER THE MENU FOR YOUR CHILD. FOR EXAMPLE, NUT ALLERGIES OR VEGETARIAN DIETARY REQUESTS ARE CURRENTLY BEING ACCOMODATED.