Lunch at SHS

By Anasuya Laha

Lunch has changed unquestionably for all schools that are now in an in-person or hybrid model. We were all used to eating with our friends, eating outside, or going to the media center. That is impossible now because of the ongoing pandemic and social distancing. However, most schools have been able to come up with plans to make lunches as safe as possible. Like SHS, schools are staggering lunchtimes and utilizing gyms and classrooms along with their cafeterias. And although lunch isn’t as fun as it used to be, it’s safe, and we can continue going to school each week.

Other than eating in groups in cafeterias, a significant part of lunch was the school lunches. Hundreds of students buy lunch from the cafeteria for various reasons every day. Now, more people can get lunch because of the ongoing pandemic and the policies the state has required schools to follow.

In August 2020, the U.S.Secretary of Agriculture had announced that the USDA would be extending some policies due to the pandemic. One of those policies was providing free meals for students until December 31st. Although, a few months later, school lunch was made free for the whole school year. The policy was changed mainly to ensure that everyone had the option of getting food at school. No matter, all students can now have lunch every day they’re at school, and they all have their own opinions about it.

As it always has been, some enjoy the lunch and others don’t. Here is what some SHS students have to say:

“It’s good. Like, the pizza tastes fine, even though it was small. But, the other things weren’t that great; but they were fulfilling, though.”

“The lunch is great. It also helps me a lot since I can just grab some lunch when I don’t have the time to make it in the morning.”

“I don’t hate it or enjoy it. The lunch in itself is fine, and I’m glad for it to be free this year. That can help a lot of people.”