Cafeteria options are now “grab and go” style in the upgraded kitchen.
BRONX, NY – It’s a place students can go to get a break during their school day, and enjoy a meal with their friends and classmates. Now, the first-floor cafeteria is an even more welcoming place thanks to a modernization and remodeling over Memorial Day weekend.
“It’s awesome!” exclaimed senior Jesus Farias has he walked out with a grab-and-go tray of chicken tenders and french fries. The Department of Education announced in December that more than 80 school cafeterias would be getting the face lift over the course of the next year. Truman was on that list, but it was unclear exactly when the update would happen.
“Everything looks different,” said junior Kimani Irish. “This is a complete shock. I ain’t never [sic] seen anything like this.”
The upgrade included new school-specific graphics on the wall, as well as graphics celebrating the Bronx, and some with inspiring messages. A new cascading water cooler is also now available. Seating was upgraded with new round tables, more comfortable dining chairs and a section of taller bar-height tables with attached stools.
However, the biggest changes are inside the kitchen, where students are now greeted with several grab-and-go food options that include daily specials and everyday consistent choices. The old kitchen line where students directed a cafeteria worker what they wanted on their tray behind glass is gone. Now, employees simply ensure that the grab-and-go areas are fully stocked and students make their choices on their own.
According to the Department of Education, The Cafeteria Enhancement Experience is centered around four core pillars:
- Student choice: Enhanced cafeterias feature a variety of ways to consume whole fruits, vegetables, snacks, or fresh-cut produce from salad bars.
- Fast service: Students won’t have to wait on line for meals, leaving more time to relax and unwind with classmates.
- Modern style: The CEE initiative redesigns cafeteria with an emphasis on creating a warm and welcoming environment.
- New furniture: Comfortable tables and chairs welcome students to their new space.
“The classroom isn’t the only place in a school building where a child learns. After two years of the pandemic, we realize how important it is for students to be able to socialize and interact with each other in a comfortable setting over a healthy, culturally appropriate meal,” said Mayor Eric Adams. The program also allows schools that are interested in offering an extended halal menu, to provide that to students.
“Each day, hundreds of thousands of students rely on schools to provide nourishing and nutritious meals. When our students are well fed and taken care of, they perform better in the classroom and are more likely to make healthy decisions later in life, which is why it is so important that our cafeterias are welcoming environments,” said Schools Chancellor David C. Banks. “The Cafeteria Enhancement Experience transforms the student dining experience, turning cafeterias into gathering places for our students, and I’m grateful even more of our students will have the chance to enjoy these spaces in the coming year.”
