School lunches. For many students, those words conjure images of soggy vegetables, half-frozen pizza, and questionable mystery meat. Unsurprisingly, a significant portion of NAHS students opt to either bring their own food for lunch or skip it all together. But how much do we actually know about the food served in the cafeteria?
At NAHS, both lunch and breakfast options are offered daily, provided by a variety of outside vendors. Different vendors supply the main courses, the fruits and vegetables, and milk. Cafeteria managers at each APS school receive menus from district directors and then adjust the quantity of food to meet the specific needs of their school. Importantly, all food served in the cafeteria must comply with both state and federal nutrition guidelines. At North Atlanta, the cafeteria serves an impressive 500 plates of food on a typical day. “It is definitely a lot of food but most students eat everything,” said cafeteria worker Sharon Williams. “Some will even come back for seconds.”
Williams is part of a dedicated team of six cafeteria workers and managers who work tirelessly to ensure fresh food is served to students daily. Beyond preparing standard meals, the team also accommodates students with allergies or other dietary restrictions. Thanks to the staff’s hard work, each and every NAHS is able to be accommodated in the cafeteria if they opt for school lunches. Parents can request special meals, and the cafeteria manager collaborates with the family to provide safe, healthy options. Preparation for meal service starts early. “I’m here at 6:30,” Williams said. “My [official start] time is 7 o’clock, and I prepare for breakfast as well as set up for whatever little things my manager needs me to do in preparation for lunch.”
The variety of meals offered at North Atlanta is another key highlight. From tater tots to nachos to pizza, students can choose from a range of dishes. Junior Roddey Bird, who eats lunch from the cafeteria about twice a month, appreciates the variety. “I like switching up what I normally pack from home with the school lunches,” Bird said. “While I like a lot of the meals, my favorite is the nachos.”
While school lunches may not always have the best reputation, the hardworking NAHS cafeteria team strives to deliver meals that both meet nutritional standards and cater to students’ diverse needs. From early morning preparations to meticulous planning, there’s more to cafeteria dining than meets the eye. So, the next time you walk into the lunchroom, remember the effort that goes into each meal – and maybe give that plate of nachos a chance.
