True North Wilderness Program Food and Gear: healthy meals, name brand outdoor gear

Nutritious Diet

Developed in consultation with a certified dietary nutritionist, our well-balanced menu offers a variety of wholesome foods needed for sustaining energy in an active daily schedule. Students are responsible for cooking their own meals and work together to prepare meals with healthy ingredients while maintaining a focus on personal wellness.

Cooking is a task that is shared among students and most meals are prepared and served family style. All students have personal food available with a variety of healthy snacks at hand, including protein bars, fruit and veggies, or trail mix.

The menu includes a variety of grains, proteins, vegetables, and spices. There are regular opportunities to cook and eat fresh meat and vegetables from local farms.

Even the most selective of eaters are able to find foods that they are comfortable eating right from the beginning, and are encouraged to try new and interesting food options.

Our menu is seasonal and choices are adjusted accordingly to adequately accommodate the changing nutritional needs of students engaged in outdoor living and activity in both the warmer and cooler months.

Dietary Accommodations

Our main menu is generally vegetarian, with opportunities to add meat several times a week. We are happy to accommodate vegan, dairy-free, or gluten-free diets for students and we can work with students who have a variety of food allergies including various nuts. We carefully consider each student who has dietary restrictions or food allergies to ensure that we can provide a consistent and healthy diet.

Cooking Class

All True North students participate in regular cooking classes. Learning to source, prepare and enjoy healthy and delicious meals together is a fundamental life skill. Cooking and learning about food and nutrition supports our focus on personal wellness and independent living, generates a positive and productive exploration of new experiences and is a key ingredient in building connection and establishing a feeling of community with those around us.

Students explore foods and recipes in fully outfitted indoor and outdoor kitchens with a chef instructor. Each week, students work with our chef to plan and create fantastic meals together, whipping up everything from homemade salad dressing to ratatouille.