Lunch quality slipping

Austin Zhuang ’21

Every day the Sodexo team works hard to provide lunch for almost  a thousand students, from the first graders in the Lower School all the way to the Sixth Formers in the Upper School. Still, some students regularly judge and critique the cafeteria’s offerings . “Too many salads!” and “Where did Chicken Po Boy go?” are some common remarks an average student might hear in their classes or in the hallways. 

     Last year, the taste and variety of the dining was a large improvement from the school I attended previously. The number of choices was beyond my expectations. This may have raised my standards too high, but after summer break this year, returning to the same dining hall was underwhelming. 

     Fourth Former Elijah Lee said, “It’s not consistent from year to year. I think overall [the food quality] has decreased.”

     Others, see no difference in the quality of this year’s lunch.

     Fourth Former Nicholas Pante said,  “I think it [the lunch quality]’s the same as last year.” 

     While some found a few flaws and faults, a good majority remain content with the food Sodexo provides. And that is not a bad perspective to have.

     Still, the food has some shortcomings. The noodles in noodle bowl, for example, taste much worse now than last year. In addition, the drop offs in favorites like Chili in a Bread Bowl and Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwich is a letdown, and the increase in salads and other meals that have low popularity is frustrating. All these factors have contributed to the small but noticeable quality decrease.

The student body should be grateful for the great service Sodexo provides daily, but there is room for improvement. 

     The student body should be grateful for the great service Sodexo provides daily, but there is room for improvement. 

     Before we see that improvement, there will still be the one student in class who groans when they hear it is Chicken Strip Salad for lunch again.