“What happened to the fries?” seems to be what CHS students are asking. The lunchroom favorite has taken a new flavor this year: baked.

Actually, the entire menu has been changed for the healthier, and more changes are projected for the future.

Director of Dining Services at the Clayton School District, Bridget Jordan is in charge of managing what students eat. Last year, Jordan joined a nutrition committee formed by administrators and parents. The goal of the committee was get students eating healthier.

“They really wanted to see a shift towards healthier food items,” Jordan said.

The nutrition committee was taking an extra step. CHS has already met its state requirements for health.  It always has, but the committee wanted to go above and beyond.

This year, the cafeteria has brought in more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.  It’s also working to promote its healthier items.
There are two options for students who are buying lunch.  They can choose between buying a complete meal or à la carte.   The meals include an entree, two sides, and a milk.  Jordan says meals have more nutritional value. Part of getting students to eat healthier is to sell more meals.

“The number of meals we’re serving have tripled [this year],” Jordan said. “That’s fantastic nutritionally.”

The cafeteria has also changed how food is prepared. This year, CHS has gotten rid of the fryer. It’s been replaced with a combination oven, which both steams and bakes the food.

“It [the oven] was an expensive piece of equipment,” Jordan said. “It cooks your food without added fats, so kids can still have fries, chicken strips, and foods they like.”

The changes have met mixed reactions from students.

“I think it [the food] is better this year,” sophomore Bre’Ona Little said. “I like the paninis, and I haven’t tried the calzones, but they look pretty good.”

Other students think the food is worse.

“I’ve noticed a drop in quality of the food; all of the foods,” sophomore Ben Cook said. “It’s not as flavorful this year.”

The food department tries to get student feedback. They’ve even tried taking away and bringing back dishes to get more opinions. Jordan tries to be receptive to student wants.

“If there’s something that’s not popular, we know that, and we know not to put it back out there,” Jordan said. “Feedback is always welcome.”

The cafeteria makes changes beyond just the food.  They’re considering adding a new kiosk somewhere on campus.  This would allow students who don’t eat lunch in the commons to still buy a meal at school.

“They [the students] just want to get away from the building, and it’s not necessarily the food, but they want to get out of the building and get fresh air,” Jordan said. “So we thought if we open another option away from the cafeteria, then that would give them a different place to go and still eat a nutritious meal here at school.”

The cafeteria is trying to provide the best lunch for students. While not all foods are hits, Jordan and other staff work to keep unwanted foods off the stands. Hopefully, CHS students can look forward to better, healtheir food in the future.