Abigail Cahill (’24)

During the first couple days of the school year the RMHS Cafeteria experienced a food shortage due to the increase of students eating lunch at school this year. 

Post- Covid-19, RMHS seniors were granted senior privilege that included the freedom to leave during their lunch period to go get lunch. A majority of seniors would take this opportunity and go out, causing a decrease in the amount of production of food needed. This privilege lasted from 2020 up until this year where students learned on the first day of school it was no longer in effect.

While students were made aware of the inability to leave for lunch, the lunch staff and Food Service Department were not. Reading Food Service Director, Catherine Franzetti said, “The Food Service Department was unaware up until the third day of school that the seniors were not leaving for lunch and a free period.”  She followed up the statement and explained, “We were absolutely getting wiped out in the first and second lunches because we had no idea that those seniors were on campus.” The need for the increase of production of food to satisfy all grades was not communicated, and therefore, not everyone who wanted to could eat.

Not only was this change noticeable to the lunch staff but to the students as well. Senior Grace Bowen stated, “I actually did not eat the first two days of school because there was no food left.”

The food shortage within the first couple days of school was quickly recognized and resolved. Principal Callanan acknowledged the shortage by sending an email out to parents addressing the issue. It stated, “There were a few growing pains in the cafeteria as well on the first few days of school since many more students were present and eating meals, it was my fault for not better communicating this change to the Food Services Department.” As a resolution she said, “The cafeteria adjusted course and is producing many more hot meals, salads, sandwiches, etc. to ensure all students have options for lunch.” Franzetti agreed and communicated, “We ramped up our production for the second and third week of school to satisfy that third lunch.”

Since the first week of school up until now, talk about students being hungry has simmered down and not been brought to attention. The lunch staff is continuing to meet the new increased demand for food due to the taking away of senior privilege and all four grades now being present.