What’s for (school) lunch?

By Alicia Rimel

Published: August 23, 2008

Dalton Welcher, 9, has high standards for the food he eats at school. A third grader at Wilson Elementary School, Welcher’s palate leans more toward cultural cuisine than the usual options.
“Compared to Massaki, it’s nothing like Massaki,” said Welcher. According to Welcher, future improvements to the school’s spread might take a cue from these types of restaurants by, “bringing the kitchen out in front of us, so we can see them cook it.”
Ethan Shifflet’s taste buds are often offended by five alarm foods – and a one-size-fits-all answer to dining.
“Sometimes, the chicken is kinda spicy,” said the 9-year-old. “Then they put hot sauce on tacos when you didn’t ask for it.”
Lisandro Fernandez, 14, recognizes that he has not had time to make a decision about Waynesboro High School’s buffet, but that is a vast improvement on middle school food.
“[The food] is ok for right now, but I haven’t tasted everything yet,” said Fernandez. “But the food is better than Kate Collins.”
Foods encountered in area elementary, middle and high schools include macaroni and cheese, pizza, chicken nuggets, baked chicken, a salad bar, fruit, chocolate cake, juice, milk and more. But, according to Superintendent Dr. Robin Crowder, some are more popular than others.
“Chicken nuggets and pizza are the ones everyone wants,” said Crowder.
Though, Christopher Rexrode was not a fan of the pizza at Wilson Elementary.
“Sometimes the pizza can be kinda hard,” said the 8-year-old.
Austin Shumate, 13, said that some days are better than others for school food.
“It’s pretty good sometimes,” said the Wilson Middle School student. “Sometimes, it’s not as good as other times. I like pizza and corndogs and hotdogs. They’re good at mixing up different stuff on different days.”
Cafeteria Manager, Loretta Teter, has tried the food at Wilson Middle – and she likes it.
“I know if I like, they’ll like it,” said Teter.
Some students pack; and some students study upcoming menus before they make a final decision.
“If we don’t like [what’s on the menu], then we’ll pack,” said Morgan Gomez, 7, of she and her twin sister, Hayley. “When I saw the lunch menu, I saw I was gonna pack this time all week.”
Brittany Kirkman, 14, says school lunches are “just plain, there’s not much of a variety in the kinds of food.”
Kirkman’s friend Bonnie James agreed, but says she isn’t picky.
“I think it’s pretty good,” said the 14-year-old. “I’d like more of a variety, but hey, it’s food.”
The food is not meant for adults, though, according to teachers – school lunches feature a high calorie count meant to fuel growing children.
One teacher paused from her packed lunch to say, “I stopped eating school lunches and lost ten pounds, probably. It’s full of calories – but that’s good for [the kids].”
So, while pizza and chicken products are favorites, a larger variety of foods might better atune ears to the chime of the lunch bell.
As if they aren’t already.