New America Media: California’s Pickiest Eaters Grade New School Lunches

November 6, 2012 /

A majority said chicken is their favorite food item — it holds the most flavor, according to students — followed by fruits and vegetables:

“The spicy chicken patty, it’s the only thing with actual flavor. Usually I have to add a bunch of condiments to everything else in order to taste good.”
— Gumaro Vargas, 17, Olive Crest Academy, Coachella

“The spicy chicken burger because it tastes great and the texture has a nice feeling to it.”
— Isidro Gonzalez, 17, Arvin High School, South Kern County

“The best item, I guess I would have to say, is the chicken sandwich.”
— Nancy Her, 16, Edison High School, Fresno

“The salad is my favorite because that seems like the healthiest thing on there. Everything is greasy.”
— Shante Henderson, 16, Wilson Classical High School, Long Beach

“The fruit, because it’s the one thing that seems fresh.”
— Mia Robinson, 17, DeAnza High School, Richmond

“It would probably be the spicy chicken sandwich. It has flavor and its taste is a lot better than the other things served.”
— Juan Rodriguez, 17, Buhach Colony, Atwater

A majority of students interviewed said they would improve on the school lunches by adding more fresh fruits and vegetables, providing more options in general, and improving the presentation. A few said they needed more time to eat, and those paying for their lunch said they would appreciate lower prices:

“I would change the way the food is cooked and use fresh food, not expired or frozen.”
— Isidro Gonzalez. 17, Arvin High School, South Kern County

“I would like to see more fresh fruits and vegetables that are actually meals, not just sides.”
— Thomas Moua, 16, Buhach Colony High School, Merced

“It’s healthy for us, but portion size is not very much so not all students are very satisfied with what they have and they’re not fully satisfied with the selection either. There’s not that big of a selection. Also cheaper food and drinks.”
— Christian Gangler, 15, Wilson Classical High School, Long Beach

“I’d say the calories are too low because I still feel hungry afterwards.”
— Gumaro Vargas, 17, Olive Crest Academy, Coachella

“More choices, because it’s not that many.”
— Trinity Jackson, 18, DeAnza High SChool, Richmond

“There’s not a lot for everyone. If you’re a vegetarian, all you have to eat is salad every day, and that’s about it.”
— Shaina Prakash, 16, Edison High School, Fresno

“Something I would like to see improved is since they have yogurt with a piece of bread, that is not actually a plate of food. I think there should be a bigger version included to that plate. Also I would like there to be more vegan and vegetarian food and for the food to be more fresh.”
— Yenesis Reyes, 16, Wilson Classical High School, Long Beach

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