Photo Credit: Eric Anderson
The doors in the cafeteria have recently been updated to match the new food stations.
Eric Anderson & Mike Owen, The Knight Times Reporters
December 28, 2009
Filed under News & Features
Chartwells has recently introduced a new line of healthier lunch options, and truth be told, there are foods in the new menu that are in fact healthier for you. Yet, from multiple sources, exchanging taste for health benefits is not something some students are prepared to do.
Senior Justin Webster says that “the Panini’s are beast and should stay, but everything else should be changed back. Calzones aren’t supposed to have broccoli in them; broccoli and marinara sauce don’t mix.”
Sophomore Justin Moore and Freshman Kyle Evers both agree that “the wheat bread just tastes terrible.”
Also, the new cookie packaging has those who are environmentally sensitive concerned. As junior Travis Payne put it, “Cookies should go back to three in a pack, it just seemed easier.”
However, there are those who think that the new lunches are a major plus.
Junior Brandy Catlett believes that she is actually getting more for her money. Lauren Luttrell, a junior, also sees the lunch as an improvement because, “there is just so much more variety.”
The new and improved sandwich line now features tasty Panini’s and the interesting new entrées have really struck a chord with students, leaving them with adequate nutrition and a full stomach.
Senior Khloe Nixon feels the food is a drastic improvement, “It actually finally tastes like real food.”
With student opinion differing substantially between the pro and con sides, the manager of Chartwells Nancy Ayers sat down for an interview. The new menu is now here to stay and hasn’t necessarily detracted from taste; it has only added a more healthy option to all of the sections.
The menu is being tested nationwide after a successful opening in Charlotte, North Carolina, which is Chartwells headquarters. Along with the health option, white bread will not be making a return anytime soon. The testing has actually proven notable with an increased sale of lunches, a la carte items, and snack foods.
In fact it seems more likely that students are coming around to the lunches. While prices have been steadily rising, Mrs. Ayers commented on the highly popular stealing trend; where many students would steal large amounts of product from Chartwells. Apart from stealing as long as the economy continues to struggle, food industries such as ours will have to increase prices to keep up with the escalating fares associated with providing us with food.
While many people feel that food is just slopped together and thrown around without little care, the food is delicately prepared and is mandated by the state. Students fail to realize that our own branch of Chartwells is no different from any other school systems and thus should respect the workers that spend countless hours trying to prepare enough meals for over a thousand students.
The true decisions are made at the top and if students want to suggest new ideas for lunches or perhaps just voice their opinions you can contact Chartwells here:
Jessica Escobar, RDM, Food Service Department, Chartwells School Dining Services, Spotsylvania County Schools, 7565 Courthouse Road, Spotsylvania, VA 22553 or by phone at 540-582-7583, extention 5550.
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