TOWAMENCIN- In the bustling halls of North Penn High School, the familiar face of Julie Barnes, Cafeteria Manager and esteemed alumna of the class of 2000, has been leading a culinary revolution. The main point of this transformation is Taste It Tuesday – a groundbreaking project that allows students to have a direct say in the school menu.
Taste It Tuesday was first thought of in the 2022-23 school year when Barnes attempted to launch a sample cart during lunch hours. The intention was clear – create a way for students to taste and vote for potential menu additions. However, this faced its fair share of challenges. Time constraints and a shortage of staff hindered the smooth operation of the cart, forcing it to be put on hold temporarily. Undeterred, Barnes recognized the potential and held back on this idea, vowing to return to it in the next school year.
Now, in the present school year, Taste It Tuesday has not only returned but is flourishing. Barnes, with her deep understanding of the student body’s sentiments, knew that the perception of public school lunch needed to change. Thus, the sample cart became her newest creation, a platform to engage students in the often-overlooked menu selection process.
To choose new items to sample or add to our menu, some of our cafeteria staff look at restaurant menus and try to copy some popular items. Though with our school district’s guidelines, the food items can’t have too much sodium or too much sugar — Julie Barnes
The cafeteria staff’s dedication to modernizing school menus is evident in their exploration of new products and menu items. This academic year witnessed the introduction of various samples, from new drinks and snacks to breakfasts and lunches. Spicy chicken sandwiches, chip bags at the Cookie Corner, and the delicious stuffed hash browns are just a few examples of the tantalizing options that have graced the Taste It Tuesday menu.
“Our goal is to modernize the school menus,” Barnes emphasized.
It’s not just about feeding students; it’s about accommodating different dietary preferences and allergies among them. Despite occasional disruptions due to staffing issues, Taste It Tuesday has evolved into a popular and eagerly anticipated initiative, proving that students’ voices matter when it comes to their daily culinary experiences.
The spark for the innovative sampling approach came during a conference attended by cafeteria managers and directors.
“They had two buckets, labeled ‘yes’ or ‘no’ as a quick voting system. It’s immediate feedback, and we aren’t asking a student to talk to us or fill out a survey,” Barnes recalled.
This dynamic voting system not only provides immediate feedback but also streamlines the decision-making process. It resonated with Barnes, leading to the incorporation of a similar system in North Penn High School’s cafeteria.
“It’s a good way to see if students are liking the sampled food and if it’s worth being on the menu permanently. If we see a lot of negative feedback, then that item just won’t be added,” Barnes continued.
The overarching mission goes beyond just making school lunch enjoyable; it’s about adapting the menu to cater to diverse tastes while staying within the guidelines governing various ingredients.
This Tuesday, the cart featured a small cherry smoothie for students to enjoy. For those who missed it, mark your calendars for next Tuesday and stop by during lunch to enjoy a free sample and play your part in shaping the future of North Penn High School’s cafeteria menu.
In the end, Taste It Tuesday isn’t just a sampling cart; it’s a testament to the power of student input, a small revolution happening every week in the heart of North Penn High School. As the lunch trays get a makeover, so does the perception of school lunches – one delicious sample at a time.