Beginning this July, Randolph-Macon Academy (R-MA) will bring about an exciting change in an area that is near and dear to every R-MA student: the food. With the start of the summer programs on July 5th, SAGE Dining Services® will take over the monumental task of feeding more than 350 people three meals a day, every day.
Established in 1990, SAGE is the nation’s leading provider of campus dining and upscale catering services and has worked in partnership with independent schools and private colleges across North America.
“I believe our students will find their dining experience at R-MA to be quite different in the future with multiple options for each meal to include more vegetarian meals, pastas, hot sandwiches, an enhanced salad bar with made-to-order salads and show cooking stations that will be operated by our two chefs,” said R-MA Chief of Services Don Williams.
During R-MA’s mentoring meetings held on Wednesday, May 20th, students were shown SAGE’s introductory video: http://www.sagedining.com/about/videos.html. Many of the students expressed excitement over the options, with the sushi being of particular interest. The many creative menu choices also caused a stir and are a trademark of SAGE, which claims that their “chefs tailor menus for each community and prepare meals from scratch using fresh, locally sourced ingredients.”
SAGE’s menu items are focused on being healthy—for example, their milk is antibiotic-and hormone-free, and they use trans fat-free oils and MSG-free seasonings. They also strive to keep their menus engaging—this year they added Pacific Rim Cuisine, Street Foods, South American and Caribbean Fare, and fresh vegetarian options.
Aside from the food, R-MA students are likely to notice other changes that will come with SAGE’s arrival: the Middle School cafeteria will be open for three meals each day (previously the boarding students had to take some meals at the Upper School dining hall), and there will be approximately $125,000 in renovations to Turner Dining Hall. SAGE also offers health and nutrition advice and places the menu online for students to view.
Randolph-Macon Academy (R-MA), founded in 1892, is a college-preparatory, coeducational day and boarding school for students in grades 6 through 12. Students in grades 9-12 participate in R-MA’s 91st Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) and have the option to participate in a flight program. R-MA is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and is located in Front Royal, VA.