Student-run cafe opens in Wisconsin high school

Cedarburg High School in Wisconsin held the grand opening on Sept. 25 of its Bulldog Café, a student-run coffee shop featuring beverages, baked goods and National School Lunch Program-compliant items. Named after the school’s mascot, the Bulldog Café is an additional community space within the district where students can pick up food and beverages. The cafe was created with the assistance of Aramark Student Nutrition, which has been managing the Cedarburg district’s student nutrition program for more than 30 years and currently serves meals to more than 3,000 pre-K to 12th grade district students.

“It is the first café of its kind in the area,” explains Aramark Area General Manager Molly Janotta, RD. “Cedarburg students have been involved in everything from the naming of the space to input on the menu offerings.”

The Bulldog Café will feature Aramark Java City Coffee items, including made-to-order beverages, freshly baked pastries, sandwiches, and snacks. Students participating in Cedarburg School District’s student-to-adult transition program called REACH will be working at the café, learning workplace skills and receiving job coaching as part of their program’s curriculum.

In addition to receiving fun football swag at the Grand Opening, the first 10 customers received reusable water bottles.

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“We are thrilled about the opening of the Bulldog Café,” says Cedarburg High School Principal Casey Bowe. “It has taken us a while to reach this point and I want to express my gratitude to everyone for their unwavering commitment, vision, and support in making this happen.”