The Spaulding Lunch Saga

McDonald’s vs. Wendy’s, Chipotle vs. Taco Bell, Chick Fil A vs. Popeyes. Competition often brings out the best in restaurant chains throughout the food business. Many chains welcome competition, as it keeps them on their toes, introducing new content to stay ahead of the pack. This, sadly, cannot be said for Spaulding’s two main food suppliers: OuR House Cafe, (The Tech Cafe), and the School Cafeteria. The Tech Cafe quickly became a student favorite throughout the school fulfilling their grueling hunger and thirst with high quality meals and drinks. These same students were shocked to realize at the beginning of the year that the Tech Cafe was no longer an option for lunch. What happened? Did the school cafeteria become jealous of the Tech Cafe’s rise in popularity? Does Mr. Roy dislike the Tech Cafe, and is using this as a punishment?

To put it simply, the Tech Cafe was in direct competition with the National School Lunch Program, a government funded program, which is a big no no. If the Tech Cafe were to continue selling food and beverages at the same time as our school cafeteria, many things such as free and reduced lunch would no longer be available to Spaulding students. This may seem unfair, as many of the students who frequently ate at the tech cafe, rarely eat at the school cafeteria, leaving them with unwanted options for lunch. However, the laws are the laws. So next time you’re craving a creamy mac and cheese during lunch time, do not blame Mr. Roy or the lunch ladies that you cannot get it, rather the federal and state government.

How have Spaulding students reacted to this overall? Generally, not very positively. A survey conducted in a D block study hall showed just how popular the Tech Cafe was among students. The survey showed that 60% of students frequently ate at the Tech Cafe, disappointed it was no longer an option during lunch, with the other 40% mixed between rarely eating or not at all. If these results were to translate to the rest of the school, that would be 60% of Spaulding students affected by this situation! That number could go up, considering the noticeably extra crowded lunch rooms and longer lines. The Tech Cafe has of course been affected by this situation as well, having to change their menu to cater more towards staff and the adult customers outside of Spaulding.

All is not negative in Spaulding following this situation, however. While the effects can be seen school wide, both sides are doing their best to adapt to the situation. The school cafeteria and lunch ladies are hard at work trying to make a more “edible” lunch selection for students to enjoy. And while the Tech Cafe cannot offer you food during school lunch time, they can serve you during A and B block. Unfortunately, there is no complete solution to this situation. Students will continue to crave their chicken tenders with fries or pepperoni pizza during C block, the cafeteria will continue to be crowded, and the lines will continue to be long. To most outsiders, this situation may seem like a petty first world problem, but to many Spaulding students, it is devastating.

Article by Josh Durand