FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “CKC” stand for?

Our founder, Nancy Close, is from the restaurant family behind St. Paul’s former Caravan Serai, the first Afghan restaurant in the United States. Nancy grew up in, and eventually bought, that business. It was from the restaurant’s kitchen that Nancy catered her first daycare center in the early 90s and launched “Caravan Kids Catering.”

Does CKC Good Food offer menus complying with USDA guidelines for federal meal programs?

Yes! We offer 6-week menu rotations that comply with the USDA’s National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program and the Child and Adult Care Food Program. In addition to our standard menu rotations, we offer USDA-compliant Latino-influenced and Hmong-influenced menu rotations for sites serving predominantly people of those cultural backgrounds. Check out sample menu items today!

How many daily lunch options does CKC Good Food offer?

CKC Good Food provides multiple daily lunch options: a hot entrée, freshly made deli sandwiches, a vegetarian entrée and deli salads prepared in our commissary. If your site is equipped with a salad bar, these menus can be accompanied by one. Allergen-free lunches are also available. You can determine the number of options you offer, based on your space, equipment and staffing.

Do you have dinner/evening meals available?

Yes! CKC Good Food can provide any meal or snack service needed, 7 days a week, as we do for Girl Scouts River Valleys summer camps or Women of Nations Eagle’s Nest Shelter. We also provide at-risk, after-school meals and snacks for many schools and youth enrichment programs under the CACFP. Some organizations receive services directly; others coordinate their meal programs through a program sponsor. Please contact us if your enrichment program seeks a sponsor to administer your food program.

Do you work with local farmers and agriculture providers?

CKC Good Food has increased the amount of locally sourced products in our menus the past several years. As much as the Minnesota growing climate allows, our distributors source lettuces, onions, broccoli, cucumbers, green peppers, tomatoes, apples, carrots, zucchini, squash and potatoes from producers within 200 miles. Local producers include Bushel Boy in Owatonna, Honeybear Brand Apples in Elgin, Axdahl’s Garden Farm and Greenhouse in the St. Croix Valley, Pahl’s Market in Apple Valley, among others.

Does CKC Good Food conform to the Buy American Act?

We work with our distributor, Upper Lakes Foods, to honor the Buy American Act. Buying American produce, proteins, grains and dairy products ensures that our foods meet the federal government’s inspection and safety protocols while supporting the American economy. All our proteins and most other foods originate in the United States. Sometimes, the availability and pricing of produce require us to source items grown outside of our country. For instance, the demand for pineapples and bananas, which are particularly popular among young people, far exceeds the quantity grown domestically.

Do you have organic menu options?

Yes, we can provide organic menu options for private programs. Please note that since we purchase organic foods in smaller quantities, and because these ingredients are more expensive than traditionally grown foods, there will be an additional charge for this service. Please contact us for more details.

Does CKC Good Food offer Halal or Kosher products in its menus for federal nutrition programs?

Every ingredient we use for our child nutrition program menus must have a Child Nutrition Label or a Product Formulation Statement for meals to qualify for federal reimbursement. We know no manufacturer/producer of Halal or Kosher foods with USDA-approved Child Nutrition Labels or Product Formulation Statements. Few raw meat products (not Halal or Kosher) have approved Child Nutrition labels. Given the risk of foodborne illness, CKC Good Food is uncomfortable using these products in our menus. We continue asking manufacturers for Halal and Kosher products approved for use in federal nutrition programs and will consider those products when they become available.

Halal and Kosher products are readily available in the market. For private food service programs, we can discuss options with you and determine if your program can accommodate the increased costs associated with these products.

 

How does CKC Good Food accommodate food allergies/sensitivities?

We offer an allergen-free menu designed to minimize the risks associated with allergies to gluten, nuts, soy, shellfish, dairy and eggs. Meals from this menu are prepared in a separate area of our commissary to reduce the potential for cross-contamination. For client partners that provide meals under USDA nutrition programs, individuals with food allergies or sensitivities must submit documentation from a medical doctor or registered dietitian to have the meal reimbursed by USDA/MDE.

What training does CKC Good Food provide for our food service staff?

CKC Good Food offers annual training sessions and continuous support on food preparation and service procedures, compliance with USDA Administrative Review (audit) requirements, the definition of a reimbursable meal, record-keeping and food safety protocols, among other topics. Additionally, the Minnesota Department of Education provides complementary classes and webinars aimed at helping food service programs succeed.

If we have a food service vendor or food service management company working with us, do we need to attend training classes?

Yes, if you operate under a federal nutrition program like the National School Lunch Program. The Minnesota Department of Education and the federal government hold you fully accountable for understanding the rules and regulations related to the National School Lunch Program and for the accurate and timely implementation of all federal policies. You, not your vendor or food service management company, are responsible for any issues with your food service program.

But you are not alone in this process! CKC Good Food is here to share our expertise and help keep your program running smoothly while ensuring compliance with USDA guidelines. At least once a month, our Client Services Managers visit every client site to answer questions and provide suggestions for complying with regulations.

How hard is it to transition both food service and commodities from our current vendor to CKC Good Food on short notice?

It’s a straightforward process. Once you award us the vended meal or food service management contract, we will collect the necessary information to ensure a fast and smooth transition of your operations, including commodities. Submit your RFP/IFB to us today!

What experience does CKC Good Food have managing onsite kitchens?

We currently manage 10 onsite kitchens, each of which operates with respect, a positive attitude, cleanliness and well-understood procedures to ensure harmony in shared spaces. We staff each site with trained and ServSafe-certified team members, according to contract specifications. We support these team members with ongoing training and regular visits by our Client Services Managers.

What support does CKC Good Food provide for the development of school wellness policies?

We will gladly work with your student, staff and parent committees to develop your wellness policies, and provide our food service accordingly. We also provide resources to ensure your serving procedures, wellness policy, and healthy eating and lifestyle education requirements are being met.