Photo of veggie potstickers

Photo by Sean Mayer

Ojas Mahale ‘27

STAFF WRITER

The high school cafeteria’s current menu does not reflect the differing tastes and dietary preferences that exist among students. Expanding the menu permanently would foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity as well as enhance the overall dining experience.

One idea involves increasing the frequency of inclusion of menu options from international cuisines. While special menus such as the Diwali dishes in early November are a good starting point to demonstrate cultural inclusivity, these isolated events fall rather short of meeting the large demand for a more diverse food selection. Dishes from other cuisines such as Middle Eastern wraps, sushi bowls, and Latin American empanadas would add variety and facilitate cultural appreciation in the process.

Student and staff feedback via surveys could inform new menu additions to ensure that they resonate with community preferences. Additionally, the salads presently featured in the cafeteria are very much an afterthought, and the overall menu remains full of traditional fast-food offerings like pizzas and burgers.

Expanding the range of fresh, nutritious options beyond salads would better serve current dietary needs and preferences. Offering plant-based meals, gluten-free alternatives, and customizable grain or protein bowls would help meet students’ needs for special dietary restrictions and variety.

In response to concerns about cost, partnerships could be worked out with local farms or food suppliers to simultaneously save costs, promote local businesses, and create a menu from fresh, high-quality ingredients. Ultimately, expanding upon the current menu would raise the bar for cafeteria food and turn lunch into a more positive experience. The high school cafeteria should choose to invest in a diverse and thoughtful menu because it is committed to the celebration of cultural diversity and support for its community.