UC High students and staff welcomed an updated lunch menu, sporting new items, at the start of the 2016 school year.
According to the San Diego Unified School District [SDUSD], “The Food and Nutrition Services is dedicated to providing healthy meals to students in order to support student academic success and promote healthy eating habits” (sandiegounified.org). They follow nutrition guidelines imposed by the federal and California state governments.
Mrs. Marcie Jones, supervisor of the kitchens at UC High, said all of the food the students eat at UC High (and also the surrounding elementary and middle schools) is made with produce grown locally in California, or here in San Diego. “We try to stick with healthy meals,” said Jones.
According to the SDUSD Cafe Menu, UC High serves no fried meals, seasonal fruit every morning and afternoon, one percent and nonfat milk, along with brown rice, whole-wheat tortillas, and a full salad bar. The new dishes include, but aren’t limited to, the Baja Fish Tacos, the Chicken Drumstick Platter (now served with cornbread and baked beans), the Teriyaki Tofu Bowl, Tortilla Soup (with tortilla chips), and the Baja Hummus and Veggie Plate.
English Learner Coordinator Gail Hall said, “I think [the school lunch] is the best! The salad bar is my favorite. The staff doesn’t get a salad bar. It always has fresh items: seasonal fruit, like watermelons, blueberries. It’s great!”
“Most of the new items are vegetarian or vegan,” said Jones. Jones claimed that last year a plea for more vegetarian and vegan foods was sent and heard by those in charge of the menus. “The cafeteria has grown more open to student requests in the last few years,” she explained.
“We keep favorites,” assured Jones. “We listen to what you guys want.” New additions such as the “Eggcelent Bowl” served for breakfast on Fridays is the winner of a student recipe contest. The breakfast bowl includes eggs, tater tots, mini slices of flatbread, and turkey bacon.
Because there are more vegetarian and vegan items this year, more students can have the school lunch. Senior Manar Alkuzweny, a student here at UC High, approves the changes. Alkuzweny said, “I appreciate the efforts made to be more inclusive.”
Some students already have new favorites. “I like the chicken teriyaki the most,” said Senior Tonal Davis. The SDUSD Cafe Menu lists the teriyaki chicken as another new addition to the lunch menu.
“[The food’s] not bad. You can eat it and you won’t throw up,” joked Junior Eli Sanchez. More seriously, Sanchez added, “The food is better this year. It wasn’t as good last year.”