“What’s for lunch today?” It’s a question many DePaul Prep students ask every morning as they head to school, hoping for something they actually want to eat. Whether it’s a favorite dish or a new option, students are always curious if the food will be tasty, healthy and filling. But how often do they get a say in what ends up on the cafeteria menu?
In a development at DePaul College Prep, a newly founded Food Committee is giving students a direct voice in the selection of meals served in the school cafeteria.
The committee, formed just last year, meets regularly to discuss food options and suggest menu items, aiming to ensure that lunches not only meet nutritional standards but also include the preferences of the overall student body.
Students meet several times a year to sample new potential menu items, giving feedback on what should be included in every food offering. These tasting sessions take place once in the spring, and once in the fall on late start days.
The food committee, which includes students from all grade levels, hopes to gather a wide variety of options among the school. Food service director and founder of the committee Parker Kokowicz said, “We try to include every grade level, so that options are diverse across grades.”
By engaging students directly in the decision-making process, the committee hopes to gather broader feedback and ensure that everyone has a say in the cafeteria offering.
Kokowicz, shares that Quest Food created this club with the goal of gathering feedback from students on how the program could improve, as well as understanding what factors would encourage more students to purchase school lunch.
Junior Jack Gosz shared he found out about the club through the daily announcements. He states, “When I learned about this committee I was immediately interested in joining because I love the meals at DePaul.”
The committee however, required a fairly selective application process. Only a small portion of students were chosen to ensure diverse representation between grade levels.
Junior Charlie Greene, who joined the Food Committee last year, shared how at their most recent meeting in November, they came in and tested meals Quest had possibly thought of adding to the menu. They then gave their opinion, and made any other suggestions of food they wanted to see in the future.
The goals of the Food Committee aren’t merely just about how lunches can be more enjoyable, but prioritize health, nutrition and affordability. During the tasting sessions students consider several important factors when evaluating each dish.
Greene said, “After each tasting, we are asked for our ratings on items, offering options on flavor and whether or not we would be excited to see the dish added to the regular menu.”
While the club has only recently begun its work, it has already introduced a variety of healthy options, including a salad bar and other nutritious choices. This however is just the beginning, with many more innovative food ideas expected to be introduced in the future.
They aim to continue collecting feedback and working to improve the food culture and environment at DePaul Prep. Through these meetings, the committee hopes to make the dining experience even more enjoyable and exclusive, offering a variety of options to the school community.
Greene said, “I look forward to having another meeting and seeing our decisions come to life.”
As the cafeteria menu evolves, students not only get healthier and more delicious options but the school ensures every meal is something that works for all students.
