Beyond the Classroom

Dining

We are very pleased to introduce an exciting development at The O’Neal School. After much discussion and input across our entire O’Neal community, the Board of Trustees in conjunction with school administration has approved establishing an enhanced dining experience that will continue to support the growth and development of our campus community.  

A full renovation of the Dining Commons will commence in Spring of 2024 with the Dining Facility and Program up and running at the start of the 2024-2025 School Year!

Our partnership with FLIK Independent School Dining is a significant step forward in our ongoing commitment to living out our school's mission and values. We believe that our students will greatly benefit from this offering, ultimately enhancing their academic performance and overall well-being. 

 

Dining FAQ

List of 6 frequently asked questions.

  • What is FLIK?

    Flik is the last name of the couple who began the company in 1971. Building their company through corporate dining services and private catering, Rudi and Julie Flik eventually expanded into the education market, focusing on private and independent schools. In 1995, their parent company, Compass Group, acquired FLIK. FLIK operates in over 280 private and independent day and boarding schools nationwide, throughout 34 states.

  • Is participation mandatory for all families?

    Participation in the Dining Program will be mandatory for all students in Junior Kindergarten - 12th Grade beginning Fall 2024.

  • How will I be billed?

    The cost of the Dining Program will be billed with tuition and can be paid in installments.

  • How are menus created?

    The on-site chef creates menus with local/regional flavors and ingredients. They receive guidance, training and suggestions for on-trend, innovative ideas from a central FLIK culinary, nutrition and marketing team.

  • What if my child has an allergy or a special dietary need? 

    FLIK believes in a customized approach to serving students with special dietary needs. Schools receive support from registered dietitians regarding training, operation management, and communication to ensure safety.

  • What is FLIK's food philosophy?

    As a culinary-driven organization from inception, FLIK’s focus has always been cooking from fresh, whole foods and using quality ingredients. Our mission is to provide wholesome, nutritious meals that fuel the minds of our campus communities each day.

Dining Service Open House

Commons Renovation

Meet Your Dietician

    • “I am passionate about educating students on the importance of living healthfully and am proud to be able to work and interact directly with students every day.”



Ana Forte, R.D. will be serving our community to ensure students with allergies and special dietary needs are not only accommodated, but enjoy their campus meals. Ana will be available for consultations with families as needed ahead of the fall kick-off and on an as-needed basis should questions arise. Ana will visit campus regularly to ensure on-going training of the FLIK staff and to help educate our campus on how to make healthy choices when it comes to meals and snacks.

Ana Forte has been a member of the Flik Independent School Dining team since 2014. She graduated from Florida State University with a dual degree in Food and Nutrition Science and Dietetics. Ana went on to complete her Dietetic Internship with the State of Florida, Pasco County Dietetic Internship, where she focused on community nutrition and education. Prior to joining Flik Independent School Dining Ana worked in public health providing nutrition education to women and children in local community clinics and pre-schools. She also comes with a background of working in areas of disordered eating and food service management. As a Regional Wellness Director Ana is a health and nutrition resource for many of the Chefs and District Managers in the Southeast. Her responsibilities include overseeing the implementation of programming, wellness initiatives, and nutrition education in the dining hall, working with chefs and the school community to manage special dietary needs and food allergies, and assisting the Director or Wellness in creating nutrition education materials, reviewing menus for nutritional integrity, and developing new nutrition initiatives. Ana believes healthy kids lead to healthy adults.

The O'Neal School

3300 Airport Road
Southern Pines, NC 28387
Phone: 910.692.6920
The O'Neal School admits students of any race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by law to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by law in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
© The O'Neal School