My Way Café is an innovative program and partnership between the City of Boston, Boston Public Schools (BPS) and the Shah Family Foundation that enables the City to provide nutritious, freshly-prepared meals to BPS students. Because most BPS schools were not equipped or designed to support on-site cooking, participation in the My Way Café program has required a range of kitchen renovation and equipment upgrades.

As architect for the multi-phased project, MDS has worked closely with BPS, Boston Public Facilities Department and Shah Family Foundation leaders to design and implement renovations that respond to the unique conditions and needs for each school. Renovations have involved reorganizing kitchen layouts, adding and replacing kitchen equipment with new combination ovens and steamers, improvements to cooking equipment, prep stations, hot and cold serving lines, and related plumbing, electrical and mechanical system upgrades. Some schools have needed expansion of kitchen and cafeteria spaces to better accommodate food preparation with student dining, with relocation of some adjacent academic and student support functions.

My Way Café began after a successful pilot program in four East Boston schools. Phases 1-3, implemented in 2018-2020, have brought the program to an additional 82 schools, impacting more than 40,000 students.