Everytable: A Small Look Into How It’s Going So Far and Our Role in Its Greater Mission

By Abby VL. '30

At the beginning of the school year, College Prep was introduced to our new lunch program, Everytable. According to the school, “The program will provide delicious, scratch-cooked meals made with locally sourced ingredients.” Families can conveniently order online, with common lunch items priced under $10 and a variety of both hot and cold options available each day. What many of us students do not know is Everytable’s origins, influence, and widespread success across the California community. 

Everytable began in 2015 as a small nonprofit organization founded by Sam Polk called Groceryships, now known as FEAST. Its mission stated the goal of "transform[ing] the food system to make fresh, nutritious food accessible to everyone, everywhere.” A year later, his organization was a success, and community demand and interest proved it was something to be invested in. So, with David Foster, a man he met through Groceryships, he co-founded Everytable. 

In the past six years, they have served over ten thousand meals to people at risk of hunger, landed a million-dollar deal on Sharktank, and launched their Social Equity Franchising Program & University, which provides loans and training to community leaders who want to help be a part of the process. 

How do these two individuals live up to their original motto? To guarantee that everyone has an equal opportunity to obtain high-quality food, they began by adjusting the cost of their meals in accordance with local demands. They also employ a system of central and local kitchens to counteract high demand. Through a combination of these methods in their storefronts, schools, subscriptions, and SmartFridges, Everytable has generally worked to be as ethically aware as day one while still surviving as a business.

Now that all of the context is set in place, how is our school a part of this story? The current school year is the first in CPS's history to collaborate with Everytable, and we have certainly engaged with it, with our community purchasing over 200 lunches in the first two school days alone. Although there have been a few bumps in the road, the new program seems to be well liked. Although some have suggested adding more vegetarian options or relocating the pickup spot closer to the main courtyard, feedback overall has been quite positive. Many people appreciate the convenience and reasonable pricing. Additionally, some highlighted meals are the spaghetti, salmon salad, and pollo asado, though there are many more worth trying.

All in all, remember to redeem the $10 voucher that Everytable has provided per person and thank the members of the College Prep community for the great lunch options and their support of a critical mission.