Students stand in lines, loading up their trays with a selection of different foods provided by the lunch ladies of Central Kitsap High School, who are usually busy washing dishes, preparing food, and much more. The smell of food fresh out of the ovens hits the cafeteria in a wave. Hungry students rush to be the first in the lunch line, and then to find a suitable seat for them and their friends.
Working tirelessly from 5:30 a.m. to around 2:00 p.m., cafeteria workers are often an overlooked, but vital part of keeping CKHS students well fed. They provide students with the nutrition and motivation they need to finish the school day.
The main lunch staff consists of Vita Standley, Mary Ellermeier, Yukari Everson, Lisa Wilson, Rie Sandoval, Alyssa Mantanona, and Maria Aguirre. Although, there’s usually temporary staff that sub in to provide the main crew with support.
“There’s usually at least eight of us, sometimes nine,” Standley said.
The lunch ladies get meals prepared on time by pre-prepping food and planning in advance. There’s burgers and fries in the freezers, which they pull out when needed. Every day, they make sure that there’s enough for the next day, and possibly the day after that.
“[We try to provide a] full lunch, where [students] get fruits and vegetables and something hot to eat,” Standley said.
Standley believes that in comparison to a Subway lunch, the food that the CK kitchen makes is healthier and less costly. The government standards require a salad bar, fruit, and other things in order to create a balance in nutrition, which serves both the high school and middle school students every day.
“We hope that everybody would want a hot lunch and that they do like the food,” Standley said.
When it comes to preference in school lunches, the students mainly prefer the nachos, according to Standley. Another favorite among students are the marinara and cheese breadsticks.
Freshman Will Gingrey* likes that there are a lot of options, however, he wishes the lunch ladies would add tacos to the lunch menu.
“Overall, I just wish they’d improve the pizzas and burgers, but [I’d like] tacos,” Gingrey said.
The lunch ladies also have their own opinions on the meals they make. Some dislike certain foods, eat them a lot, and are curious about how their food tastes.
Standley doesn’t prefer the pasta, but she likes eating salads and the chicken burgers that she and her co-workers make. Typically, they’ll eat the food they make on their lunch breaks. When it comes to making pre-packaged food, the majority of the lunch staff prefer making food individually.
“Personally, I’d rather individually cook than [make] pre-made food,” Mantanona said.
On a daily basis, lunch staff have to work together quickly and efficiently to provide enough food for each of the students. Kitchen staff work a busy schedule, taking shifts between each of the school lunch rotations. Soon after, they go back to washing dishes, preparing more food, or organizing laundry, dishes, and frozen items. They’re always working, each of the five days in the school week.
“It’s a lot of movement, you’re never just sitting around,” Mantanona said. “[My job is] fast paced.”
Their efficient work, timeliness, and contribution efforts to the school could potentially be overlooked, which is why Gingrey stresses the importance of showing them gratitude.
“I think they’re a very nice group of people,” Gingrey said. “We need to let them know that we appreciate their service and we should give them a ‘thank you.’”
Food workers are always on their feet, and even a simple “thank you,” can brighten their day and let them know that they’re appreciated.
“I love serving the kids because I get to see them every day,” Standley said. “It’s fantastic. I just like being around you guys.”
*Will Gingrey is related to reporter Gia Gingrey
