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Student representatives press for more spice, vegan options and salad bar changes in school lunch
Summary
Student leaders reported results of a recent poll and feedback collected in a meeting with the food services director, urging condiment stations, more vegan options and relocation of the salad bar to ease lunch line congestion.
Student representatives reported to the School Committee on Dec. 2 about a recent student forum on school meals that collected 12 survey responses and resulted in nine new student volunteers for the district food‑service advisory process.
Mark, a student representative, summarized the meeting and said students gave "very honest opinions" about school lunch. He said students requested a station for condiments and seasonings, more vegan options such as beans on the first floor, and moving the salad bar because it currently "clogs up traffic in the lunch line." He and other students also said they wanted more hot sauce and spices to improve perceived blandness of some entrees; Mark said he and a colleague sampled the lunch and found the chicken burger "a little bland" and would have benefited from hot sauce.
Assistant Superintendent Pauli and Mikaela, the district food‑service director, attended the student meeting and received the feedback. Pauli told the committee the feedback was "very substantive input" and that some suggestions are quick fixes while others will require work to implement (for example, creating a low‑sodium seasoning station). District staff said they have confidence they can respond to the tangible suggestions.
The committee did not vote on any policy or budget changes related to food service at the meeting; staff said they will continue to work with students and food‑service leadership on feasible adjustments and report back as appropriate.
