Students can expect new lunch items in the International food line.

The foods at lunch are subjective to students and their tastes, and Ms. Jones’ students are not fond of the options.  

“In the last semester, my students had mentioned that they didn’t like what was at lunch that day. That started a conversation about types of food that they like and what they eat from their countries,” Ms. Angela Jones, EL teacher, said. “It spiraled into ‘let’s check if our lunch line can have some of their food.”

In order for an idea to become a reality, there must be authorization from administration.

“I had to sit down with Mr. Gasaway to see if it was possible,” she said. “After he 

thought that it was a good idea, he reached out to Mrs. Ponto, the cafeteria supervisor.”

The upcoming International menu options were the result of students’ ideas. 

“Mrs. Ponto contacted me last semester. She and the cook went into my class for all three of my periods,” Ms. Jones said. “We gave them all of our ideas. From there, she said they were going to try to implement one International food line until we got it going.”

With the addition of the International food line, students have more variety for lunch. “Once I started looking through my distributors and the lists they gave us, I found that there were many different options for the International food line,” Mrs. Ponto said. “I had the idea of giving them a taste tester, so they could decide whether they liked it or not. I brought in Korean BBQ chicken last month and they loved it. This month I am bringing in chicken tikki masala.” 

The Korean BBQ chicken was a success for students.

“The Korean BBQ I know was up there this past month, and that was pretty good,” junior Kira Smith said. “I liked the flavor of it and how tangy it was. 10 out of 10, would recommend.”

Research into new foods is required to offer new menu items.

“There is another food option, but I am kind of up in the air about it because it’s usually served with naan bread, and I don’t know if I am compliant to bring that in, so I have to do a little more research for that. The Korean chicken went over well, so that is going to be staying on the menu,” Mrs. Ponto said.

Students have an important part to play in the recurrence of menu items.

“A lot of the kids knew about the Korean BBQ chicken through word of mouth. First lunch probably talked to their friends, and they came in wanting to try it as well,” she said. “I like to serve the food twice, so that way I know if it is going to stick or not.”

Students require an exact amount of nutritional value in their lunches, though.

“The planning for the Korean BBQ chicken didn’t take that long. It is a matter of researching what the distributors have and what I can get off of my nutrition sheets to make sure it is not over or under. The protein part was easy, but the hardest part is getting the green in,” she said. “With the government making all of these restrictions, everything has to stay in the USA. All of the greens are overseas, so we can only have 10% of that for the whole year.”

With the addition of the International food line, students can expect to get their lunches quicker.

“I would say that right now until it starts to expand out, that the line won’t be as long as it is now,” Ms. Jones said. “Now would be the time to jump through the line and test it out. Maybe it is something that students can bring a side lunch for if they don’t like it.”

High school students’ feedback is crucial for school lunch menus across the district.

“My director will send over things that are international. She usually wants the high school to try it before the elementary schools,” Mrs. Ponto said. “You guys are pretty much my testers.”

Scan the QR code to the left to give your feedback on the Korean BBQ chicken and what you would like to see in the line.