At Northwest High School (NWHS), lunch has many nutritional options for students to choose from. However, students are still uncertain about them. This is actively changing because of the very thoughtful lunch faculty.
Globally, school lunch programs provide the essential nutrition for millions of students while also contributing to students’ focus and energy levels throughout the school day. With increasing health awareness, schools are recognizing the importance of providing balanced meals that positively impact students’ well-being.
The cafeteria staff plays a crucial role in the success of said programs. However, they are not simply preparing food for others; they are also advocating for healthy eating habits, such as encouraging students to take at least one serving of fruit or vegetables, and contributing to a positive school culture. With their menus, they strive to make meals that both appeal to students and meet nutritional guidelines.
The lunch staff at NWHS does exactly this. With the variety of choices, students have the flexibility to make their own decisions while also maintaining nutritional values. Nonetheless, some students are still unsure about the lunches, with some getting only fruit and others not taking advantage of the free lunch program at all.
Even so, this may change with the addition of other items to the menu, particularly regarding the very popular sub bar. The staff has been adding new toppings and proteins frequently, such as veggies, dressings, and spicy tuna. This is due to students’ advocacy and staff choice!
Continuously, the staff set up signs for national food days, some of which include different choices for the sub bar. The signs include fun facts and other information about the given food.
Cafeteria Staff Ms. Emily says these new items are encouraging students to take advantage of the free lunch, especially if they are items that students like. Furthermore, they promote balanced, healthy eating habits.
To ensure that everything runs smoothly during each lunch, the staff prepares food items and verifies that each food station is stocked for the three lunch periods.
While they do as much as possible to maintain an orderly lunch, they do run into some obstacles. For example, some students prefer different foods more than others. In this case, some meals will run out while others are plentiful.
“They flock to certain areas,” said Emily.
With technology and programs constantly changing, Emily notes that there is talk of changes for the cafeteria. However, there are currently no known upcoming updates besides the food menu itself.
Altogether, lunch is an essential part of students’ focus and growth. By including more menu options, the lunch faculty are helping create an environment that emphasizes nutrition and health. If students continue advocating for other options, there will be a greater chance that all students will benefit!
