There is a new menu and distributor this year at Newtown High School. Chartwells has been removed from the cafeterias and replaced by a new provider, known as Whitsons School Nutrition. Whitsons plans to set up basic nutritional meetings and has created an online portal to access lunch information. This, as well as the food, is different from much of what Chartwells has done in the past.
The students of the Newtown High School have noticed little to no change in the two distributors’ food. “The selection this year went down, there’s not as big of a selection but what’s [in the cafeteria] was still there last year,” NHS senior Ashley Lynch said.
The Food Service Director at NHS, Luiza Emery, has heard differently about the change in distributors. “I ask the kids every day if they like [the food] better and they’re like yeah they like it much better than last year…” Emery said.
For some students the price of the food, which has not decreased from last year, is hard to pay every school day. “[The food is] so overpriced I get the sandwiches and its four dollars for a sandwich,” NHS senior Daphne Mack said. “I ate cup of noodle for two years straight every once in a while I’m sure there is a good meal [but the food] has been the same for the past four years except it’s just gotten pricier and pricier.” NHS senior Abby Gregory said.
The health aspect of the cafeteria food was a big issue for many students looking for a well-balanced diet. “The only food I get in the cafeteria is the salad because I honestly don’t think the other food is very healthy,” Lynch said. NHS Sophomore Fallyn Kirlin feels differently about the food. “I not impressed [with the food options] but it could be worse, I mean they have healthy options if you wanted them, but if I had a choice I would definitely choose to bring my own lunch,” said Kirlin.
Luiza Emery is satisfied with the nutritious value of the food. “The salads [are the most nutritious] and the wraps are all made with Boar’s Head. Nutritionally, pretty much everything is pretty good” Emery said.
On the NHS website it says that Whitsons School Nutrition has planned meetings and talks to discuss the health quality of the food, but many do not see the nutritious angle that the new distributors are claiming. Like Kirlin, some students feel that a lunch from home is more beneficial to their health. People like Luiza Emery are happy to discuss the cafeteria food and its health benefits.
Image Courtesy of prweb.com