Lunch is arguably the best time of the school day for the students and staff at St. Joseph’s Academy. The food the school has to offer is in such demand that it forms quite a competitive line. When the bell rings to signify lunch’s start, students will rush to get a desirable place in it. Some students will even risk getting in trouble to skip the wait. This behavior leads to a prominent question: what factor of the food is driving students to act in this manner?

To start, it has the most basic quality necessary for food to be deemed good: delicious flavor. The cooks at SJA never miss with their execution no matter the cuisine, Italian or Mexican. The chance to have a real meal at school is a positive factor. Iris Rycenga is a sophomore who purchases food from the cafeteria almost every day.

“It is fresh. A lot of lunches that I have had before SJA were disgusting, like in the public school I went to,” Iris said.

For her, the food is an experience that has added towards making her attendance at SJA special. The cookies, fries, and main dishes are just a few of the student body’s favorites. However, the flavor is not the only unique quality of the dishes at SJA.

SJA also gets the students involved in the process of lunch. One of the ways they do this is by involving the greenhouse. At the start of 2023, a student-run club, Earth Angels, with the help of Mrs. Lodes, started producing the herbs that are used to cook in the kitchen. It has been a great system that proves how the school community can use its resources to impact school lunch. The greenhouse grows a wide variety of different plants. The cafeteria crew can even suggest certain herbs they would like to be grown. SJA also involves students in the clean-up of the food. There is a compost bin that students can use and volunteer to help look through. Not only does the cafeteria produce great meals, but it also provides a variety of ways to serve and get involved in the world around SJA.

The consistency that is delivered is another staple of the food at SJA. The knowledge that there will always be a delicious plate ready to eat can help to relieve students’ stress. They do not have to worry about rushing to make lunch in the morning or how they will keep it fresh. During the days that seem hectic, the promise of an enjoyable meal can turn it around.

There is also a great variety for the students. The specialty main courses that are offered allow a person to eat something new each day of the week. It prevents a repetitive diet for students. The change is good at helping to differentiate the days, so school does not turn into a blur. Even though it is small, the opportunity to make this decision is a small step toward growing students’ leadership skills. It is a taste of making decisions of their own for the freshmen or other new students.

When the food is a constant topic, the pricing of it is also brought up. A fan and frequent buyer, sophomore Izzy Perez, has a few concerns about the food’s affordability.

“The pricing is a little out of range to get it every day for many people. It is very expensive. My account seems to drain every week,” Izzy said.

There is definitely a price to pay for indulging in relying on the cafeteria food often. The school has made attempts to help with this by including the prices for certain things before the checkout. This can help students learn how to budget how much they are spending each time they go through the line. Overall, the steep cost seems to be accepted when the food that is given in return has such a high quality. The kitchen staff, namely Keith and Caroline, are also incredibly kind. They do not hesitate to offer a sample of something for students. This encourages young women to try new things and ensures that they will enjoy what they are getting.

The school lunch deserves the attention it receives. No matter who is asked, the SJA community will almost always have a positive attitude towards our Cafe. It is a proud element of SJA and definitely the most delectable piece that makes the school what it is.