From Trays to Table: A Look Inside The Cafeteria by Melissa Lima Amaro and Aadhya Patel
Every student knew the drill: the lunch bell rang, and suddenly the cafeteria became crowded with students getting lunch and finding seats. School lunches were more than just meals, but a chance to refuel and socialize with friends. Sometimes, students had to wait in long lines to get lunch, so a lot of them planned to get to the cafeteria as quickly as possible. Lunch showed how students navigate both food choices and crowded lines.
Some students tried to arrive early to avoid spending too much time in line, while others grabbed lunch at the very end. When asked if the long lunch lines affected her choice to buy lunch, Anna Agarie said, “Yes, it does. Lines are extremely long so sometimes when I don’t bring food and the lines are too long, I don’t buy lunch.” Other students said that even though the lines were long, the food was usually worth the wait. When asked what she thought of the food prices, Melissa Amaro said, “I believe that the school lunch is affordable because it isn’t as expensive and it’s a lot better than my old school’s lunch.” Agarie also agreed that the lunch prices were fine, and a lot of students seemed to agree.
Lunch was often the most looked-forward-to part of the school day. It gave students a chance to talk to their friends, relax, and take a break from their classes. Even with long lines and busy tables, lunch remained an important time for students to recharge. Lunch brought everyone together, no matter what they chose to eat or where they sat. It reflected how school lunches brought students together everyday.
The lunch line wasn’t just a place to grab a meal-it was the heart of the school’s midday energy. Every day, students filled the cafeteria, chatting and laughing as they waited in the lunch lines for their warm lunch. The aroma of rice, chips, chocolate muffins, chicken biscuits, and subs made the wait feel worth it. It’s a moment where everyone took a break from lessons and reconnected with friends over shared lunch and laughter.
Behind the counter, cafeteria staff worked hard and quickly to make sure every student was served on time. They balance speed with care, preparing meals that were both delicious and nutritious. “Many students like me would prefer more food options and would like lunch ladies not to assume we always want meat on our sub,” Sudiksha Nanda said. From Nanda's experience, she explained that many students would love to see more vegetarian and even options-like veggie wraps, pasta bows, or good old fashion salads-to give everyone a meal that both fits their taste and lifestyle. Offering a wide variety not only keeps lunch exciting but also to accommodate every student’s taste. “They should add vegetable wraps to the menu with vegetarian options,” Nanda said.
As the school lunch line continued to bring the community together with food, friendship, and fun. By adding more vegetarian choices, the cafeteria could make lunchtime more inclusive and enjoyable for all students.The cafeteria offers students great options and always tries their best to accommodate students, but students have many ideas to improve the lunches even more. After all, the school community is big and all students have different needs.
Captions: A lunch lady serves students food during lunch, one of the busiest parts of the day. School lunches were an important part of the day, and the cafeteria staff worked hard every day to make sure everyone received a meal. Anna Agarie said that most of the time, school lunches were good, but added a reminder to her peers. “Be respectful, and don’t skip the lines.”Students line up in the school cafeteria during lunchtime to grab their favorite to grab their favorite meals. The busy scene showed students chatting and deciding what they would put in their rice as they moved down the busy lunch line. “My favorite lunch to have is the rice bowls and the options you put in it and the portions are pretty good,” Sudiksha Nanda said. Photos by Melissa Amaro.