As most of you know, I am doing a consultant job for a major corporation in Hartford and this place has thousands of employees and a cafeteria that is half the size of the main floor of Cheshire High School. It is humongous to say the least.
Now this cafeteria serves fresh food of all sorts daily. They serve breakfast and lunch. They have everything under the sun: a fresh pasta bar; various salads; an international food bar; hot dogs, hamburgers, a deli sandwich bar with all types of sandwiches, popcorn, frozen yogurt, all sorts of desserts; all sorts of coffees, a fresh fruit bar, it goes on and on. And in the morning they serve omelets, fried eggs, about seven different types of bagels, several different types of spreads, you can toast your bagel or toast your toast; they have oatmeal, pancakes with sausage, hash browns, whatever. And that doesn’t even take into account the coffee bar that is located on the main floor which also serves pastries, oatmeal, fruit, yogurts, candy, whatever you want.
God, a person could gain serious weight working at this place.
The other day, I noticed something new in the cafeteria. It was called O’Naturals and what it is–according to some of their literature they had on hand in the cafeteria is the country’s only natural and organic quick service restaurant chain. I guess this O’Naturals, which promotes the use of free-range chicken and organic meats, vegetables and flours, has partnered with the Compass Group, the world’s largest foodservice company.
O’Naturals is based out of Portland, Maine and according to their literature it states that “O’Naturals was the brainchild of organic yogurt maker Stonyfield Farm’s President and Ce-Yo Gary Hirshberg.” I did get a chance to meet him the other day in the cafeteria.
Hirschberg says in his literature that “we started with the simple premise that people are tired of eating the same old food made with mysterious ingredients and served in plastic surroundings.”
“Instead, we offer them delicious food from exceptional natural and organic ingredients served in a comfortable atmosphere.”
Well it seems that ever since the O’Naturals food bar opened in the cafeteria, the demand is great. The lines are long. People are taking to the fact that their food is organic. The other food bars lines have diminshed since O’Naturals opened.
They make and prepare their food right on the spot which is awesome. I know Timberline in New Hampshire was the first company to have O’Naturals food service.
I am hoping to present this idea to the Cheshire Board of Education. Since now many school systems are looking to upgrade the child’s food choices. Many schools are getting away from using a lot of processed foods. This to me, would be a step in the right direction. Organic free range food that looks good, tastes good and is prepared “fast.”
I know this would be popular with our students.
According to their literature, O’Naturals has three company owned locations–Portland and Falmouth, Maine and Acton, Massachusetts. They also have two franchise locations: one in Orlando, Florida and one in Wichita, Kansas. Apparently other franchise locations will be opening soon in North and South Carolina.
Their menu includes flatbread sandwiches, pizzas, soups, tossed salads, Asian noodles, kids’ meals, fresh baked goods, and where permitted, micro brewed beer and wine. Ingredients are natural, organic, local or wild.
I have been getting a good response about the old car commercials, so I will leave this running for a few more days. I expect to have a major story about the Lifestyle Center vote on Wednesday and some commentary on our current tax surplus situation. There is a lot of talk brewing amongst people.
Stay tuned. Because I am really going to crack the whip Wednesday night. I gave in to some of my critics and stayed nice for today.
Here is the link to O’Naturals:
