As the leaves have begun to fall with the new school year, students have been dealing with big changes to their lunch experience. Here are the main aspects:

• There’s a new snack bar where students can buy more food
• Students feel lunch portions have gotten smaller
• Students must use their student ID number to get lunch, meaning they can’t go up for seconds
• Are these changes related to the new snack bar? 

Though it wasn’t strictly permitted, students have always appreciated being able to return for seconds after eating their meals. However, the addition of a paid snack bar seems to have changed the daily routine; a student now has to enter an ID number in order to receive lunch, which eliminates the option of second servings. And students have noticed that the usual trays full of substantial meals have been replaced with smaller servings. 

Numerous students have expressed their discontent, pointing out that their favorite lunches are frequently in short supply.

“They are limiting portions,” said Prep senior Damny Rodriguez. “The amount we are getting isn’t the same amount we used to get before.” 

There has been criticism of the new snack bar, in addition to lunch portion sizes. The new snack bar was designed to offer quick and easy options, in addition to school lunches, for money. Some people enjoy the variety, but others believe the snacks fall short. 

“I do enjoy the variety of snacks offered in the snack bar; however, when buying an empanada I thought they’d be homemade,” said Prep senior Stephanie Bautista-Flores, pointing out that even though there are more options, the quality hasn’t always increased. 

Students have voiced their disappointment, with many calling for a return to the earlier lunch arrangement that permitted larger amounts and second helpings. 

“I feel the lunch has discarded the opportunity of rice in our meals,” said Prep senior Anaya Hansford, reflecting the desire for beloved foods to return, such as rice, which was formerly an essential of school lunches. “If they brought back the simple dish, I feel everyone would have a better time.”

Ms. Emma Barksdale, Cook Manager at our cafeteria, addressed the snack bar and portion issues. 

“There is no relation between the snack bar and the sizes of the lunches,” she said. “I am following regulation rules, but I don’t know why the portions are so small.”

She also said some student favorites would come back, in time.

“The rice will be back, but I don’t know when. It is planned.”

It is hoped that as the school year progresses, students and administration will work together to improve the quality and enjoyment of lunch. Students will keep speaking up for their lunchtime needs and raising awareness for better lunches overall. Will the lunches that students love come back, or are these modifications here to stay? Time will tell.