Every weekday at noon, Hackley Upper School students flock to the cafeteria to eat and congregate with their peers. When I wait in line for lunch, I often overhear comments about the food. A majority of the feedback is not exactly positive. While many words can be used to describe the food at Hackley, I never understood why some consider it “bad.” Sure, there is room for improvement; however, in my humble opinion, the positives of the lunch program outweigh the negatives.
First of all, the food is relatively healthy. Flik, the school’s caterer, works to provide nutritional offerings to students. In collaboration with nutritionists, Flik provides fresh and nourishing meals to students every day. But what if I don’t like the entrées? It’s not an obligation to stick only to the main dishes. The salad and pasta bars offer a solid variety of fruits, vegetables, carbs, and protein that enhance the main dishes.
The food is also diverse. For every meal, we get food from an array of cultures. One day, we’re served beef fajitas, the next we get tandoori chicken and chana masala. Exposure to so many different tastes from around the world helps each student develop an expanding palate that might open their minds to new possibilities. Eating meals is one of (if not) the most universal activities. By keeping an open mind to diverse foods, people can connect with others with a deeper understanding and appreciation of their cultures.
Finally, Hackley lunch is a vast improvement over food in public schools. I spoke with many new freshmen who told me the lunch at Hackley was levels ahead of what they were served at their old school. As a former public school kid myself, I agree with this sentiment–Any food is better than microwaved burgers and soggy turkey sandwiches.
Of course, Hackley lunch isn’t exactly Shake Shack or a Michelin-star experience, but Flik is doing a great job of serving hundreds of students every day. So the next time you find yourself with ‘nothing to eat’ during lunch, value the privilege we have to be given such a hearty and wide array of foods. Take the opportunity to try something new. And if you still feel dissatisfied, I have a pretty delicious tuna melt recipe.
