After Jean Scaf retired his catering truck from the food-servicing scene on campus, the administration implemented a new system for student lunches for the 2008-09 school year.
At the time, wellness council director Ericlee Gilmore spearheaded the system with a purpose to serve “healthier” fare. The daily lunch operations consisted of a specific vendor on each of the first four days of the week and a club-sponsored lunch ? often pizza or a cultural dish ? on every Friday. The same four venders were usually repeated each week.
The weekly lunch menu currently comprises Italian on Mondays, Chick-Fil-A on Tuesdays, Pick up Stix on Wednesdays, Rosalinda’s burritos on Thursdays and any given club option on Fridays.
After Gilmore’s departure at the end of the first semester, the administration restructured the process.
Now, the teachers of all first-period classes must conduct a “lunch count” ? asking the students to raise their hands if they plan to buy the lunch on that day ? and then report the figure to the office. Those students who expressed interest in the provided lunch must then visit the office between third and fourth period and withdraw a ticket to redeem for their meal at lunchtime.
Michell Regnerus, high school secretary, runs the daily ticket operation. She says the current system depends on students to remain accountable and honest.
“The lunch ticket system is a service the school provides for the students,” Regnerus said. “Even though it involves extra time and extra work, we want to provide quality food to the campus. The ticket system is just a way to keep students responsible and honest.”
In addition, Regnerus says the ticket system allows the administrators to better estimate the number of lunches they must provide, thus reducing waste and cost.
“Because many students would order lunch and then leave or forget or have an appointment, we often had lots of leftovers,” Regnerus said. “This system helps keep that at a minimum.”
While the new process may save money for the school, junior Alyssa Boss views it as an unneeded complication to the school day.
“I don’t like that we have to raise our hands and get a ticket because it is too much of a hassle,” Boss said. “Also, because there is only one option a day, if you don’t like what they are serving then you have to go hungry.”
Although the variety of the food choices often pleases students, the different prices for each meal may influence their decision to purchase a lunch or pack one at home.
“I like Pick up Stix because I love rice and chicken,” Trenton Fleck, ’12, said. “Also, it is one of the cheapest options during the week so it is easy to buy.”
For more information on the lunch system of the 2008-09 year, visit the Aug. 29 article, New lunch vendors serve ‘healthier’ fare.