Food delivery should be allowed at schools. Uber Eats, Grubhub, and DoorDash are examples of online forms of food delivery that can be used by customers and restaurants through a mobile app. In recent years, the ‘online food delivery business’ has become more popular, especially during the COVID-19 lockdown, for its convenience for the customers and the restaurants.

This business has now reached the newer generation as kids now often order food to their school for lunch, mid-day snacks, or for sports. In New York State, the food delivery varies per school. While some schools have designated drop-off points at the front desk or around campus, others have rules that prohibit food delivery and often result in disciplinary consequences.

At Hackley School, food delivery became more popular, now banned. The main reason for the ban is the disruption that the drivers cause and the possible safety hazards of random people entering campus.

While all of these reasons make sense because they protect students’ safety, I think there are other ways to guarantee safety and still allow students to order their food. If other schools have been able to maintain a safe system of food delivery, why can’t Hackley? Some of the ways that we can maintain a safe, efficient, and non-disruptive school food delivery system are designated drop-off spots and specific times when students are allowed to order.

For example, kids could only be allowed to order after school / after sports, and maybe as a privilege, seniors could be allowed to order during lunch.  By creating a structured system, Hackley can reduce disruptions while still giving students more independence and choice.

Food delivery is a new, modern approach that many rely on, and banning it feels unnecessary when safe alternatives do exist. With clear rules, designated drop-off locations, and limited ordering times, Hackley can protect student safety and adapt to this new approach.

Overall, allowing food delivery, with the right guidelines, would be a fair compromise that supports safety and student freedom.