At the International School of Panama, ISP, our educational philosophy is built on the idea that excellence is holistic. This is why we don’t just develop minds; we nurture future leaders by fostering an environment where academic growth, emotional wellbeing, and physical health go hand in hand. We believe that every part of our campus contributes to a student’s development, including the spaces where they eat, connect, and recharge throughout the day.
This commitment to the whole child extends to every aspect of school life, including The Cove Cafeteria. Over the past year, we have listened closely to feedback from students, parents, and staff to better understand what our community values most when it comes to food and nutrition.
What we heard confirmed many of the strengths already present in our current food program and school lunch, including the emphasis on freshly prepared meals, quality ingredients, and student wellbeing. At the same time, the feedback highlighted opportunities to make the experience even stronger, more consistent, and more aligned with the priorities of our community.
Beginning in August, we will introduce a series of enhancements designed to build on those foundations and further strengthen the food options available to our students.
Why we decided to act: the power of community feedback
Remember that here, at ISP, we don’t just hear feedback; we evolve because of it. Following input from parents and students regarding menu balance, nutritional variety, and ingredient quality, ISP leadership initiated a comprehensive review of our food program and school lunch.
We recognized the importance of continually evaluating how we support student wellbeing across all areas of school life. To ensure this process was grounded in the latest nutritional science, ISP partnered with NURA, a specialized nutrition consultancy, to conduct a comprehensive review of our food program.
This process was not about replacing what already works, but about identifying opportunities to further strengthen the dining experience and ensure it continues to meet the needs of our community.
How we are strengthening the cove experience
Working alongside NURA, a nutrition consultancy, ISP identified four key areas for improvement based on community feedback and a careful review of our current program.
The future Cove experience will focus on four key areas identified through community feedback and a careful review of our current program.
1. More nutritionally balanced menu options
While our current program already offers a wide variety of meals, we will continue refining menu offerings to ensure students have access to balanced choices throughout the school day.
2. An even greater focus on ingredient quality
We will strengthen our approach to ingredient selection by further reducing the use of ultra-processed products, the use of vegetable oils and continuing to prioritize quality ingredients that support student wellbeing.
3. Healthy choices alongside familiar favorites
Students who want healthier options will have more opportunities to find them, while still being able to enjoy many of the foods they already know and love. Our goal is to provide a range of options that allow each student to choose according to their own preferences.
4. The After-School Kiosk
Recognizing that many students remain on campus for athletics, arts, and extracurricular activities, a new after-school kiosk will offer convenient snack options for the afternoon.
A comparative look at the evolution
The upcoming enhancements build on a program that already offers many of the qualities our community values; the focus is on continuous improvement:
| Feature | Current program | Enhanced Cove experience |
| Food preparation | Freshly prepared meals | Continued focus on fresh preparation |
| Ingredient selection | Emphasis on quality ingredients | Additional focus on reducing ultra-processed products and the use of vegetable oils |
| Menu variety | Wide range of options | More balanced choices across menus |
| Student choice | Multiple meal options available | Expanded healthy options alongside familiar favorites |
What to expect starting this august
When students return to campus in August, they will find a dining experience shaped by months of conversations, feedback, and careful planning.
The enhancements will focus on providing more balanced menu options, expanding healthy choices, and continuing the school’s commitment to quality ingredients. These improvements are designed to give students greater flexibility and variety while maintaining many of the foods they already enjoy.
Importantly, The Cove will continue to offer a range of choices rather than prescribing a specific way of eating. Each student will be able to select the foods that best match their preferences, tastes, and individual needs.
“We are always looking for ways to improve the student experience at ISP. These enhancements reflect the valuable feedback we received from our community and our commitment to providing food options that support student wellbeing while maintaining the quality and variety our families already appreciate.” : Jalil Mendoza, School Services Manager and Chef.
Food as part of the ISP learning philosophy
Food and school lunch play an important role in supporting learning, concentration, and overall wellbeing. By continuing to evaluate and strengthen The Cove Cafeteria, ISP reinforces its commitment to creating an environment where students can thrive both inside and outside the classroom.
The upcoming enhancements are the result of listening to our community and looking for ways to build on what is already working well. We look forward to welcoming students and families back in August and sharing these improvements with our community: We don’t design the plate, we provide the options and each student can choose.
Visit the campus to experience the transformation of The Cove firsthand and to know the new school lunch!
