Update March 23, 2026

The Culinary Institute of America Hyde Park NY would not budge for allowing me, as a commuter, to opt out of Meal Plan. Even as increasing inflation since 2020 (engineered or war time activated) makes the actual food I need to prepare and bring to campus crazy expensive.....

I was expected to double pay to keep this culinary corporation's profit margin the same across all unique student needs. 

Sound like discrimination? 

Well yes....that would be the word for it. 

I am expected to pay over $4000 to buy a product next 2 semesters that is mandated on my student bill automatically-

Matter of students rights regarding equity. 

The experience has prepared me for so many other things I will most likely come across in this lifetime. 

I was only offered to apply for $300 off each semester. 

Oh boy -

That is a small fraction of the cost. Again good quality food isn't cheap. And there is no doubt some of that on campus. However I would not be able to find it regularly enough (daily) for my health needs. 

I never expected the dining service to go out of their way for me which some students request and are protected, if reasonable, under state and federal law. 

And clean special doet food (organic) is often double the cost. Especially ingredients higher in protein and good fats as well as micro nutrients. 

Hey I won't lie - the remarkable grains I am asked to prepare are delicious in culinary programs or in private kitchens and at weddings. I can taste test over and over until balance is solid. 

I just can't eat them regularly along with soy (big time painful reaction) as well as the wide variety of oils stocked in professional kitchens. 

At 58 years old - I know my nutruton plan is good for me! Been at it along time. 

I explained and none of my diet was approved for modification to a handful of administrative leaders

So I will now continue my career upskilling with plan B that doesn't look too shabby and is probably going to make me much more niched in my ideal skillset in the end. 

I will now go deep in experience...no longer wide. 

Italy plan now and then certify (as I would of done in NY) now at the Florida based American Culinary Federation that has testing sites for in person kitchen exam and comprehensive off campus testing in southern California as well as nationally....

The largest professional chefs' organization in North America, offering educational resources for the people:.

"Who We Are

The Standard of Excellence for the Culinary Industry

The American Culinary Federation (ACF), founded in 1929, is the largest professional association for culinarians and hospitality professionals in North America. From the very beginning, our mission has been clear: to elevate the image of the profession through education, certification, mentorship and advocacy.

ACF changed the landscape of American culinary arts by helping establish the executive chef as a recognized professional role. Today, we continue to shape the future of the industry through world-class certification programs, training, apprenticeships, competitions, and workforce development initiatives"

For the Italian training prior:

Nutrient dense old world Italian cuisine at the Casa Artusi cookery ....

South of Milan & venice

in Emilia-Romagna 

Near small villages, parma, modena, the Apennine mountains & the stunning Adriatic coast.......

Did I contact an attorney after not getting reasonable modification for me to pay and eat my own food while waiving the standardized limited (for my health needs) Meal Plan. 

Thank you from bottom of my heart for a signature and kind words ....

Basically real deal caring about something so important to so many of us. 

Don't mandate health or food or drugs (aka pharmaceuticals)! And property taxes? Don't get me started on that concept of purchase home on land and then continue to pay the town or city government the rest of your life? 

Very personal decision for us to make regarding food we consume and no one lives in our bodies or knows our intolerances more than ...umm us. 

🩷Rainn

p.s

🔪🍲🥑

This below is the poem I integrated in my Essay for this program:

Crafting the Dream

-by Rainn Palmisciano

How I move in the world, make meaning, and find place,

is through the creative culinary process.

The kitchen counter is my canvas…...

as is the cutting board

the cast iron receives the healing pigments

Which then becomes an integral part

of the next seasoned production

Beads of water dancing on the surface

before I lay down the medium

Heated appropriately for the skillful sear

aromatics lascio sobbollire las salsa sul fornello

Then plating with mindful garnish

not to forget the edible flowers……

And the piece de resistance you may ask?

crowding the table with friends or family or customers …..

famiglia style

like upper west side Carmines

rallentare e assaporare il momento ….

My “paintings" are edible murals

I live for "substitutions" that others deny

be it for vegans, meat eaters, cardiovascular challenged,

renal patients, diabetics, children and toddlers …..

My dream is they belong

at this farm to long table

where crafting food as medicine is for . . .

just this one day

not just en mi suenos

Everyone gathers….

in the very same restaurant …..

at your next holiday table ….

by the grill at the next summer campout…..

Whatever it takes . . .

to bring this kind of table

bravely into existence ….

i wish for that.....

Amen ……

Poem written in Topanga, California October 15, 2025.

 

The takeaway: 

It's a matter of not being mandated to eat like other students while honoring my ability to shop for the nutrients that make me feel well and strong. 

Strong enough to go through a rigorous training like this one. 

I suggested I bring my own food to eat with my classmates and Chef Instructors during the kitchen labs when we eat together.

And I suggested during all course's meal breaks I eat my own food off the meal plan that I prepare most often from scratch in my own place as a commuter.

This seems like a reasonable request that creates no undue hardship for the school in Hyde Park NY. 

This petition could potentially help other students with special dietary needs advocate for their needs around food and wellness. 

I even went as far, which I did not have to, disclosing the specific health reasons I would not be able to eat on the Plan. 

I was given the run around over 90 days perhaps due to an outdated system of food plan product already on each semester bill that maybe needs to be updated. In order to meet the moment and needs of a wode variety of students and how we eat to be healthy. 

Anyone else think students shouldn't have to pay thousands for food they can't eat?

Thank you for considering signing in support with name or anonymously. 

I truly learned from the victory of this experience when speaking my constitutional truth to vaccine mandate of MMR (x 2 doses) and Hep A (x 2 doses).

With a very carefully written and notorized original content Religious Exemption as well as blood work proving my past vaccination and continued forever chem so called "immunity" of MMR .....together these 2 each covering half of the mandate ....allowed me to be cleared. That took 2 months! 

In the end it was the profit margin sadly they keep prioritized with more regard than my health. They could of still made bank and their ball park quota allowing me to consume my own food versus the restrictive Meal Plan. 

📚 Rainn-Laurie