More Than a Meal: How the CDS & FLIK Partnership Builds Community, Engagement, and Sustainability

At Carrollwood Day School, dining is about much more than serving breakfast and lunch. Through our partnership with FLIK Independent School Dining (FISD), we strive to create experiences that bring our community together, support student well-being, and reinforce the values that make CDS unique.

Every day, our team has the opportunity to interact with students from Early Childhood through Upper School. We see firsthand how meals create opportunities for connection, conversation, and learning. Whether it is introducing a new menu item, celebrating a cultural event, or participating in a sustainability initiative, the dining program is an important part of the student experience.

As we begin a new school year, we are excited to further strengthen the connection between CDS and FLIK through a variety of engagement opportunities designed to make dining interactive, educational, and fun.

Creating Meaningful Experiences

Throughout the year, students can look forward to a variety of special events, promotions, and interactive dining opportunities to have fun with their food, learn, and explore! This school year students will have the chance to experience the following new programs:  

• Tried It: Double Dip – Taste two versions of a dip and vote for your favorite.
• Global Street Eats – Travel around the globe via the world’s best street food.
• Plan-It Pantry – Delicious, thoughtfully planned dishes that reduce food waste. 

These programs are designed to introduce students to new foods, celebrate different cultures, promote healthy habits, and create memorable moments beyond the classroom.

From chef-inspired features and seasonal celebrations to taste-testing events and wellness promotions, our goal is to create opportunities for students to engage with the dining program in meaningful ways. We want every student to feel connected to the food they eat and to have a voice in shaping their dining experience.

Sustainability in Action

Sustainability continues to be a core focus of the CDS and FLIK partnership. We believe that educating students about responsible consumption and environmental stewardship is just as important as serving nutritious meals.

One of our most successful initiatives has been the Weigh the Waste competition, which challenged Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School students to reduce food waste in the Student Union. By measuring and tracking food waste, students gained a better understanding of how individual choices can collectively make a significant environmental impact. The friendly competition encouraged students to be more mindful of portion selection and helped spark important conversations about sustainability.

Another exciting initiative is our Reusable Cup Program. The program was successfully launched with fourth and fifth grade students, helping reduce the use of disposable beverage containers while encouraging sustainable habits at a young age. Building on that success, we are excited to expand the program to Middle School and Upper School students during the spring semester. This initiative represents an important step toward reducing waste across campus while empowering students to make environmentally conscious choices every day.

We are also proud to partner with a CDS student volunteer group that supports a local farm. Throughout the year, our culinary team collects fruit and vegetable trimmings generated during meal preparation and provides them to student volunteers to be composted at the farm. This effort helps divert food scraps from the waste stream while giving students a firsthand opportunity to participate in sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship. It creates a meaningful connection between the dining program, student leadership, and our broader community.

Giving Back to Our Community

Sustainability also means making the most of available resources and helping those in need. This year, CDS and FLIK will be partnering with Feeding Tampa Bay to donate eligible surplus food and retail products that would otherwise go unused.

This partnership allows us to extend our impact beyond campus by supporting families in our local community while reducing unnecessary food waste. It reflects our shared belief that good stewardship includes both environmental responsibility and community care.

Looking Ahead

The CDS and FLIK partnership continues to evolve with a shared commitment to innovation, engagement, and sustainability. From exciting dining promotions and student engagement activities to waste reduction programs and community partnerships, we are constantly looking for new ways to enhance the dining experience while supporting the values that define our school.

At its heart, our dining program is about people. It is about building relationships, creating memorable experiences, supporting student wellness, and teaching lifelong lessons about responsibility and stewardship.

We are grateful to be part of the CDS community and look forward to another year of great food, meaningful connections, and positive impact.

Together, we are doing more than serving meals. We are helping build a stronger, more sustainable community.

Take a look at what FLIK is serving up at Carrollwood Day School HERE. 
Check out FLIK's most recent initiatives HERE.