The Calais School has officially partnered with No Fuss Lunch, a provider of high-quality, healthy school lunches, to offer students in the Structured Learning Experience (SLE) program both work experience and a lesson on selecting and preparing healthy food choices.  Each week, students and their job coaches travel to Hawthorne, NJ where they work in a 10,000 square foot facility set up with industrial grade equipment.  Students assist No Fuss Lunch staff assemble fresh, wholesome boxed lunches.  During the school year, No Fuss Lunch puts out over 2,000 lunches each day.  Every boxed lunch includes a hot or cold entree, fresh vegetable, fresh fruit, dip, a treat and water.

At No Fuss Lunch, Calais students are learning basic food & safety information; how to handle food safely, proper use of various kitchen equipment, cleaning and sanitation as well as personal hygiene.  Through the partnership, students will be exposed to all aspects of the business from food prep related concerns like cross-contamination and allergens to more organizational and financial concerns such as  purchasing, inventory, storage and managing deadlines.

The Calais School SLE program enables students to actively participate in the global workplace and provides an environment that exposes them to some of the real life challenges and opportunities of the 21st Century.  SLE students apply what they’ve learned in the classroom by demonstrating critical thinking and problem solving skills at worksites throughout the community.  Encouraged to work independently, students also develop interpersonal social skills as they navigate the complexities of living and working in today’s competitive workforce.