Health & Nutrition
Meals at MVTC are far more than just the regularly scheduled consumption of food, for we have made a commitment to teaching our residents habits and life skills around making healthy food choices. Our residents learn that eating well has a positive effect on not just their physical well being, but on their mood, as well.
Farm to Table
As we celebrate healthy eating habits, we also embrace an important “farm to table” ethos, making sure that residents and staff are consuming foods grown or produced locally honoring organic practices, such as eggs from our own free range hens, chicken, pork and beef from animals raised on our campus, milk from nearby McNamara Dairy, and vegetables, including micro-greens, grown by our residents in our gardens.
Dietary Needs
We are also vigilant when it comes to making sure that we are aware and sensitive to every resident’s dietary needs, so gluten and nut-free options, for example, as well as Kosher dishes, are readily available.
The Most Important Meal
Breakfast is an important part of all residents’ morning routine. The breakfast menu always offers cereal, oatmeal, yogurt, granola, fruit and hard-boiled eggs. In addition, residents enjoy daily breakfast entrees such as pancakes, breakfast burritos, frittatas, omelets and smoothies on a regular rotating schedule.
Communal Style Eating
Meals are communal and served in Gallup House and prepared by our Master Chef, Peter Bayliss. Such dining experiences are an opportunity for all members of the Mountain Valley community – residents and staff – to gather together and enjoy healthy food and good conversation. It is also a perfect time for residents to engage in exposure work, perhaps by engaging an adult in conversation, wearing a silly hat, or making an announcement about the upcoming weekend’s programming.