Students noticed a change in the lunchroom following the return to school after COVID-19 shut down in person learning last year. The menu had been shifted dramatically. In previous years students have had access to an à la carte which included chips, crackers, pretzels, deserts, etc. Everything along the lines of a snack was available and was extremely popular with students, as well as the many drink options to go along with their meals. Students here at the high school have been wondering what motivated these changes and restrictions to the menu they have gotten used to and loved. 

We were able to get some answers after speaking with Biddeford High School principal, Mrs. Jaques. Due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic schools had to make adjustments in order to ensure the safety of their staff and students. The state also went to free and reduced breakfast and lunch for all students, which helped the families struggling because of COVID. The school had to follow federal guidelines in what was served such as: one milk, one fruit, one vegetable, and one entree. Every student was to get the same thing. In partnership with that, COVID eliminated the digital keypads which were the point of the sales system. Initially, COVID advice was to avoid touching common surfaces. Therefore, the food service director at the time chose to not do any point of sales and just stick with the free food that was given. That continued through the remainder of the school year. 

This school year things were a little different. Mrs Jaques says, “we did it out of necessity last year” and this year they could “free up certain things.” Which provided kids with more options such as burgers, sandwiches and wraps but there still was no à la carte. At the time the CDC still recommended everything be individually packaged, but there were supply chain uncertainties which gave us no guarantee that we would receive options a part of the à la carte. On top of that, there are staffing issues and they didn’t know if they’d be able to manage it. However, Mrs. Jaques believes that students may not receive enough food with the free lunch that’s provided and says, “I do wish that we would be able to bring back some à la carte options.” Also knowing there is a high demand for lunch options now as there is not as much stigma attached to school lunch. The plan was to start the school year without it and then if we could get to a certain point where things are better, then add it back.

After being asked if the school will go back to à la carte in the future, Mrs. Jaques seemed certain that they will, but unsure if it will happen for this year. Students look forward to when the à la carte will reappear and hopefully will be sooner rather than later.