Thanksgiving through the Years

Wholesome, Fresh Poultry and Deli Meats Are Our Standard

You may have heard talk about the potential health hazards of antibiotics and nitrates in poultry and deli meats. This is a cause of concern for many parents, who know that a high-piled sandwich or a plate of chicken tenders—one of our most popular items—is their child’s favorite meal. You can rest assured that, in a SAGE dining hall, your children’s favorites are wholesome, fresh, and antibiotic- and nitrate-free. SAGE Standards: We house-roast deli meats and source antibiotic-free chicken. What We...

From Our Kitchen: Roast Turkey with Harissa Paste

Give your turkey a kick this holiday by marinating it with harissa, a spicy, aromatic chili paste widely used in North African and Middle Eastern cooking. This versatile paste can also be added to roasted vegetables, blended into hummus or dips, or stirred into soups. Harissa Paste: Yields 1 cup Ingredients: 8 dried guajillo chilis, stemmed and seeded 8 dried New Mexico chilis, stemmed and seeded ½ teaspoon caraway seeds ¼ teaspoon coriander seeds ¼ teaspoon cumin seeds 1 teaspoon dried...

One-on-One with a SAGE Executive Chef: Kim Durm

Kim Durm has served as the Executive Chef at Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU) since November of 2015, and she’s been with SAGE since 1995. Kim’s sage (lowercase, that is) advice on life and teamwork is informed by her keen sense of humor, refreshing perspective, and generous goodwill. How did you get into the foodservice business, and with SAGE? Actually, I wanted to be a cop. But I was a very hyperactive child. I had to be doing something...

A Spoonful of Added Sugar

If you’re paying attention to headlines about nutrition, you’ve probably heard the buzz about added sugar. For the first time, the 2015 USDA Dietary Guidelines recommend limiting added sugars (not to be confused with natural sugars) to less than 10% of the calories in your diet. For the average adult consuming roughly 2,000 calories a day, that’s no more than 200 calories—about 12 teaspoons, or 50 grams, of added sugar. That’s three percent less than the average American consumes...

The Common Market: Sustainable Sourcing to Support Local Communities

SAGE is proud to work with hundreds of small, local suppliers across North America.  We’re a strong proponent of local sourcing, and The Common Market is an excellent example of how partnering with local suppliers helps support the communities in which we work. The Common Market is a non-profit food hub that connects small local farmers and food artisans with people and organizations that seek their wares.  The idea first came about when co-founders Haile Johnston and Tatiana...

GROWING SAGE: Vast Gardens and Opportunities at St. Andrew’s, DE

At SAGE, we make a point of featuring locally-grown food in our dining halls, so we’re thrilled that 60% of our schools have on-campus gardens producing crops that can be incorporated into school meals—the ultimate in local sourcing. The gardens at St. Andrew’s School in Middletown, Delaware are an impressive sight. Our SAGE staff are always looking for new recipes that incorporate their fresh produce! The St. Andrew’s garden started as a 5,000 ft2 field plot in 2006. Ten...

From Our Kitchen: Quinoa Salad with Butternut Squash and Cranberries

This filling quinoa salad will catch your eye with the rich, autumnal allure of its golden-brown squash and bright burgundy berries. For a satisfying vegan option, forgo the feta and swap agave for honey. Quinoa Salad with Butternut Squash and Cranberries Yield: 8 -1/2 cup servings Ingredients: 2 cups butternut squash, cubed 1/4 cup olive oil, divided 1 teaspoon salt, divided 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided 2 cups quinoa 1/2 cup feta, crumbled 1/4 cup sweetened dried cranberries 2 tablespoons fresh...