The new school year has brought about many changes all around campus, but perhaps the most surprising and, in some students’ opinion, exciting changes of them all have been the ones made to the food students can purchase from the cafeteria. These changes include a snack table with healthier options, the change of Creations meals to regular lunch price, and the addition of a new Simply-To-Go program. This section includes ready-made salads, parfaits, and fresh fruit cups for students to purchase and take with them. Because of these positive, healthier changes to the food options, the Board congratulates the district for making students’ health and budgets a priority.

The snack table, located in the hallway leading to the senior courtyard, sells items such as Goldfish and Rice Krispie Treats for students to purchase for a quick bite of fun foods. This year, the food that is allowed to be sold there must also comply with government regulations, because any school that receives funding for lunch programs must adhere to their rules. Last year, the changes made were to focus on getting more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables into students’ diets. This year, the focus is on the reduction of students’ sodium intake, so high sodium items have been removed from the snack table. This will benefit students in the long run, due to the fact that high sodium intake is a known cause of high blood pressure. By doing this and additionally offering students more healthy options such as fruit cups, SmartPop popcorn, students are benefitting from these healthier choices.

Many students in the past would line up for the Creations line in the cafeteria, where on designated days they could purchase items like chicken fingers, pasta, or double cheeseburgers  in larger portions. This also meant that the prices for the food in this line was almost double that of a regular combo lunch. This year, the portion sizes have decreased, along with the prices, making this line much more affordable for students, teachers, and parents’ wallets than before, while still offering plenty of variety. This change is helpful to students who may not have been able to purchase these food items before due to their cost, since the price of these meals went from $3.95 to $2.30.

Last year, Sodexo did a focus group made up of students from the three FHSD high schools who said that they would like to see some healthier options be implemented and made easily accessible to students. And it seems the district and Sodexo listened, and put into place the Simply-To-Go program. Since the start of school, students and teachers have been talking about the new section located on the far right wall in the commons. The large black refrigerated box houses all sorts of healthy items for students to purchase, including items like fresh salads, pudding shooters, and wraps. Students use their lunch account to make purchases from Simply-To-Go, so no extra money is needed. By offering students these additional options for lunch and snacks and also by making them affordable, the district is making sure that students know that their voices are being heard.

Students’ health and budgets are a priority to them, and now their school district is making sure that they know that their welfare is and always has been a priority. With the healthier and more affordable changes made to students’ food this school year, the North Star Editorial Board looks forward to students being able to take advantage of these changes. now their school district is making sure that they know that their welfare is and always has been a priority. With the healthier and more affordable changes made to students’ food this school year, the North Star Editorial Board looks forward to students being able to take advantage of these changes.