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Lunch ladies
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Cashier Pat Biggs (back) took a moment to pose with her favorite second-grade lunch helpers, Angelina Connelly (left) and Cally Brown (right), who help clear trays and hand out milk.
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The end result of a well-planned and well-served lunch is easy to see- happy and full kindergartners, in this case.
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Here's what cafeteria cashier Pat Biggs sees during her first lunch period shift- a hungry hoard of kindergartners that she must quickly and correctly charge for their lunch.
By SARAH FOOR
One the most accurate ways restaurants measure success is to track food waste. The more food that gets consumed, the less waste, and the more profit.
The cooks at Watson Elementary understand this concept and are adept at making sure the garbage bins aren’t overflowing with food after the lunch periods are over.
“The kitchen doesn’t throw any food away,” said Victoria Baker, Watson’s cafeteria manager.
For those accustomed to throwing away old leftovers from the fridge at home, Watson’s efficiency and ability to get the most out of the food supply may be a mystery. But to Baker, it’s just part of her job description.
“It was a learning process, of course, but a necessary one. Our food is fresh and good for the students because we work very hard to make it that way,” Baker explained.
To ensure the food is always fresh, meats and vegetables are delivered weekly, and bread daily. Most often, however, food is not squandered because Baker knows exactly how much to order to feed the students at the school.
Baker is also responsible for the healthier meals now offered district-wide. When writing a menu, Baker must consider her school’s preferences, the food available and the nutritional value for the 6- to 10-year-olds she serves.
“We’ve taken away all junk foods from our lunches and only serve milk and juice. The kids can only buy one extra, and they’re all appropriately-sized, lower fat and sugar ice creams and cookies,” she explained.
“So far, we’ve had no complaints. We’ve tried to offer the right foods, along with allowing the kids to make their own choices.”
Although Baker has a lot on her shoulders, she can’t speak highly enough of her team.
“One of my employees has to be pleasant, love kids and work well in a team. I say they need ‘a little more purr, and a little less grr.’ I completely lucked out in that respect. We definitely work well together.”
The hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. Angelina Connely, a second-grade volunteer, helps collect trays and hand out milk during her lunch period. She says it’s time well spent.
“The lunch ladies are really nice and we love to be able to help them.”