What You'll Eat

What we serve

Our IMS Kitchen has developed meal plans over the decades that support a practice environment. We serve tasty, varied, nutritious vegetarian meals that often include dairy and eggs. The main meal of the day is served at lunchtime, with a lighter dinner offered in the late afternoon. At breakfast we serve oatmeal and an alternative cooked grain every morning, and hard-boiled eggs are provided twice a week. A selection of caffeinated and herbal teas are freely available at all times, as well as milk and sweeteners. Miso paste is also always on hand.

All of our meals are served buffet-style, with ingredients listed next to each dish. For those with allergies to gluten and/or dairy, a simple, non-animal protein, a gluten-free grain and a plain vegetable are available at lunch.

Food you can bring

If your dietary needs extend beyond this, you can bring your own foods or supplements to the retreat. Food can be stored in the general dining area on shelves and/or in a refrigerator specifically for participants’ use. Space is limited, so please bring only those food items that are necessary. Please provide your own sealed plastic containers, and mark them with your name and the date. If you need to eat between meals, you can save part of your meal for later on. Please be aware, however, that microwaves are not available.

Our Retreat Center and Forest Refuge kitchens are small, busy places that do not have the resources to respond to individual needs. Our cooks cannot provide specific snacks or cooking equipment. If you have special dietary requirements, please plan ahead by purchasing and packaging any necessary items before you come to IMS.

Food you can purchase here

If you wish, you can purchase non-dairy rice milk, soymilk and almond milk from the Retreat Center office. IMS also sells Beano; it aids the digestion of beans and seeds. We don't provide hot chocolate, coffee or coffee filters - please bring your own.

Food sources

Our eggs and milk are local and hormone-free, and most (but not all) of our grains, beans and dry ingredients are organic. We try to buy organic ingredients when available and within our budgetary constraints. In the warmer months, a local organic farm grows some of our produce for us, but during winter months we are somewhat more limited. While we continue to look toward innovations that will allow us to stay within our budget yet still buy organic and/or local fruits and vegetables, we cannot guarantee that all our food will come from these sources.

Providing for common food allergies

We are aware that some retreatants, teachers and staff are allergic to gluten, dairy, nuts, refined sugar, and nightshade vegetables. We label ingredients carefully so that you can monitor what you eat.

If you have a particular serious food allergy, please let us know. You can mention it on your registration form and also tell our office. We have allergy precautions in place so as not to cross-contaminate foods when we are aware of such a condition. Wheat-free tamari is available from our condiments selection.

Your health

Our aim is to prepare simple, healthy meals that nourish our retreatants. We avoid the use of cholesterol-laden foods and limit sweetening to evaporated cane juice, honey or molasses. Desserts are served 2-3 times a week. Quality vegetable oils are frequently substituted for butter, and we rarely serve fried food.

May you be happy and at ease in your upcoming retreat!