Clean Plate Station passes inspection, receives certification

Heidelberg University, in conjunction with Parkhurst Dining, has passed a rigorous audit by Kitchens with Confidence. The audit, completed in October, is an in-depth look into Heidelberg’s kitchen operation to ensure that guests with food allergies are served safely. Clean Plate, the newest station inside Hoernemann Refectory, is now “Certified Free From™” gluten and six of the major eight allergens: fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, and dairy.

The team at Heidelberg, working in collaboration with food service partner Parkhurst Dining, wanted to provide a safe environment for those with food allergies who dine on campus. The Clean Plate Station, which opened about a year ago, was the ideal solution. This station offers a variety of options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner through a multi-week rotating menu.

Kitchens with Confidence was brought in to perform a thorough investigation with the goal of ensuring all areas from loading dock to tabletop are completely safe and all policies and procedures for this station are sufficient in safely serving guests. Heidelberg’s dining team fully embraced the audit and passed with flying colors.

“Being new to the Parkhurst family, I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to provide this type of service to our Heidelberg community,” said Tony Ippolito CEC, CCE, and Parkhurst general manager on Heidelberg’s campus. “It’s important to us to offer worry-free dining to not only the students but piece of mind for the parents and loved ones.”

Ian Charles, manager of Kitchens with Confidence, said he has been continually impressed with the importance that Parkhurst places on food allergies. “As the manager of Kitchens with Confidence, I personally inspect allergy programs at universities all across the nation,” Charles said. “The Clean Plate concept and its continued implementation throughout Parkhurst is concrete evidence of this. Heidelberg is an invaluable partner for Parkhurst in how they have supported this amazing Parkhurst concept to the point of fruition on their own campus.”

In addition to the certification, the team on campus is taking measures to ensure their employees are properly trained. All supervisors and managers are required to take AllerTrain. In order to even step foot in the actual food prep area for Clean Plate, staff must be certified in a food allergen course. Through AllerTrain, the dining staff at Heidelberg is given the tools to navigate food allergies.

“The Clean Plate Station has been a game-changer for Heidelberg.” said Dr. Chris Abrams, dean of Student Affairs at Heidelberg. “Food is important to our students. But for those with allergies, the importance of food is elevated to a whole new level.”

“The Clean Plate Station gives us the opportunity to offer great-tasting, high-quality food while at the same time giving our students peace of mind. It is one of many ways Parkhurst and Heidelberg show our students they are valued,” Chris said.