Cafeteria changes met with mixed reception

The school’s cafeteria has undergone multiple changes this year such as additional food options and the implementation of an electronic checkout system.

Dippin’ dots, which sell for $3.50, have made their way into the freezers of the cafeteria, but they haven’t been as well received as hoped. According to cafeteria manager Pamela Carlino, the novelty has worn off after they were introduced early this semester.

“They’re not that excited anymore,” Carlino said. “I think the kids want the regular ice cream.”

Even so, she said the ice cream sandwiches and cones that the cafeteria used to sell aren’t likely to return.

“I don’t have enough room for both freezers out since we got the new tables,” Carlino said. “I can’t put regular ice cream in the Dippin Dots freezer either. Dippin Dots is lending us the freezer, and it’s really cold; I don’t know if I’m going to be able to put regular ice cream back in there.”

The school’s leadership class has been collaborating with the cafeteria to bring about additional food options and varieties for students.

For instance, new Thai food and vegetarian options were implemented as a result of Leadership’s suggestions. But even these options haven’t been a hit.

“I created a dish involving Thai chicken and a sesame chicken with veggies and some rice,” Carlino said. “I also tried some stuff from Sysco; it was too salty and cost $10 a case.”

Besides offering new food options, the cafeteria has introduced a new method for students to pay by implementing an electronic debit system.

According to Carlino, the transition to electronic payment wasn’t done with the intention of speeding up lines. Instead, it helps the few students who are on the free and reduced program.

The program dictates that the students on the program cannot be made obvious of the status and the electronic system serves to conceal their identity, she said.