A Guide to Dining Options at Lake Forest College
Food is essential for fueling our bodies and minds, and Lake Forest College provides a variety of dining options to meet the diverse needs of its students. With a focus on fresh, made-from-scratch meals and a commitment to local sourcing, the college aims to offer a culinary experience that supports both health and community.
Parkhurst Dining: A Commitment to Quality and Community
Since July 1, 2018, Lake Forest College has partnered with Parkhurst Dining to provide campus dining services. Parkhurst demonstrated during the bidding process that their values aligned with the college’s priorities. This collaboration emphasizes craftsmanship, choosing "imperfect over standardized food" and focusing on preparing meals with real ingredients. Parkhurst's chefs take production into their own hands - chopping, dicing, peeling and cooking from scratch with real ingredients. The company believes in knowing where the food comes from and partners with local, family-owned farms and producers whenever possible.
The Hart Dining Hall Experience
Located in the Mohr Student Center, Hart Dining Hall serves as the main dining location on campus. Meals are served in an “all you care to eat” style, with specialty foods made fresh daily. Parkhurst provides eleven (11) dining stations that serve a variety of food, made from scratch, and consider many common dietary restrictions during preparation.
Addressing Dietary Needs and Allergies
Recognizing the importance of catering to various dietary needs, Parkhurst Dining offers an “Inspired Eats” station 6 days a week which is free of the top 9 allergens and gives our guest a worry-free option for those that require “clean cooking.” All our other stations, including “Inspired Eats,” are labeled with allergen alerts on both the displayed menus as well as on the glass partitions. In addition to the allergen station, renovations have been underway to improve food service areas, including Boomer’s, the Cyber Café, and the Sports and Recreation Center. A mobile app is available that allows students with dietary restrictions to know where to find food that meets their needs in the dining hall.
Students with dietary preferences may seek accommodations. If a student has a disability need for a meal plan exemption that cannot be accommodated by Parkhurst Dining, they may complete the Accessibility Services Verification Form. Medical documentation stating the disability related need and how it directly connects with the request must be provided from a provider specializing in a field consistent with the diagnosis. Information regarding specific dietary restrictions must be included. It's important to note that Meal Plan accommodations are NOT retroactive, and financial refunds will not be granted for current or past semesters.
Read also: Enhancing Education in Lake County
Sustainability Initiatives
Parkhurst is committed to sustainability and collaborates with the Sustainability Committee and Campus Garden to identify opportunities for collaboration. The college prioritizes using fresh, local ingredients, minimizing the use of processed foods. All our food is trans-fat free, however, other fats may still apply. Our freezers are really quite small. Real soup or sauce doesn’t come from a can, jar or pouch. That’s why ours taste so good. Our deli salads are fresher and healthier because we prepare all the ingredients ourselves.
Meal Plan Requirements
Lake Forest College requires all students who live on campus to participate in the meal plan program provided by Parkhurst Dining. This requirement aims to foster connections within the campus community and ensure that students have access to healthy and well-balanced dietary options. Exemptions from meal plan participation are rarely granted.
Community Spaces for Relaxation and Study
Beyond the dining hall, Lake Forest College offers several community spaces where students can relax, study, and connect with one another:
- Commuter Lounge: Located in the lower level of Deerpath Hall, the Commuter Lounge is equipped with a fridge and freezer, a Keurig machine, a microwave, a dry erase board, a TV tables, and lots of seating. Access requires a Student ID.
- Skybox Lounge: Situated in the Mohr Student Center, the Skybox Lounge features seating, tables, and a TV. The space is reservable for organizations after 4 p.m., but students are welcome to use it during the day.
- Center for Chicago Programs (CCP): Located in Mohr Student Center. Feel free to use the lobby to rest, relax, do homework. The space is open through the evening, even after the offices close.
- Collaboration and Quiet Spaces in Brown Hall: There are a variety of collaboration and quiet spaces in Brown for your use. If you need to reserve a space, you can do so here.
Important Information for Commuters and Residents
Students should be sure to only park in designated parking spaces. Arrive early, and be willing to park on south campus by the Rec Center or Hallas Tailgate Lot if needed. You can reserve a locker for the semester free of charge, as long as you provide your own combination lock.
Read also: Office of Education Initiatives
Read also: Your Guide to Big Lake Community Education
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