Whether you are a freshman or a senior you have noticed the changes happening in the cafeteria. Scituate Public School System has recently acquired a new director of food service. Mr. Hubbard is involved in every school within the Scituate Public School System and is overseeing food production and the food programs within the schools. Mr. Hubbard was previously the director of foodservice at a private high school before working at Scituate. He also supervises the player dining room for the PGA tour and managed numerous private and corporate restaurants. Hubbard came to Scituate to help all of the schools though he spends most of his time around SHS.
With a new cafeteria advisor comes new goals “The goal is to produce high quality, fresh and tasty foods with nutritional integrity; in a clean sanitary setting within the time constraints of our school schedule” said Hubbard. Although Hubbard has only been working at Scituate Public Schools for a short time students are already talking about the changes he has made. The days of a wilted salad bar and limited lunch menus are over. Today students are seeing more options at the salad bar, fresh fruit and vegetables every day, chicken caesar wraps, vegetable stir fry, bagels with cream cheese, fresh fruit cups, beef chili, and much more. Hubbard sees the Scituate cafeteria as a place of great possibility. “The mindset is everyone has been doing the same thing for so long, a new set of eyes can bring new ideas.”
Senior John Foster has taken note of the changes in the cafeteria. “I have noticed the food quality is much better and much fresher, and there is an increase in variety which is an improvement” Most students and teachers alike are excited about the changes they have seen in the cafeteria.
“I had not been to the cafeteria in a while but I decided to buy lunch one day. I noticed they had two sizes of salads. The salad bar had all different things and it all looked really fresh. They had green and red peppers, tomato, cantaloupe, and fresh lettuce. It was just a step above. I felt like it was more gourmets and something you could get in a restaurant. I felt special” said Chemistry teacher Ms. Moore. The Scituate High School population is overall excited about the changes that have been made and that are to come.
One of the most important challenges Hubbard faces is the budget. “We are working within the price frame to offer the best possible ingredients, and different presentations.”
In order for Mr. Hubbard and the cafeteria staff to provide a variety of healthy options for the students more money must be spent and that means more students must purchase food from the cafeteria so the prices remain the same. There are also statewide regulations he takes into consideration with each meal. There is no longer any soda or trans fats in schools. Schools must offer two kinds of milk and if they are chocolate or strawberry they must also be low fat. The amount of sodium, saturated fat, and calories are all also taken into consideration. “I’m just excited,” said Hubbard, “We are here to make an impact on student experience, to make their lunch better, we have lots of ideas but it just takes time.”
Hubbard is looking for students to become more involved than ever in their meal choices. At some point this year he is hoping to send out a survey for students to give feedback which would directly impact their meal options. “I noticed the excellent art our students do, I would like to involve them in helping shape the look of the cafeteria” he said. “I see myself as here for students, all staff are here for students, it’s an open door policy.”
Mr. Hubbard is most interested in satisfying the school system and students. “Our commitment is to provide students with the best possible ingredients, increased variety and satisfaction at an affordable price. Our goal is to support, educate and encourage healthy eating habits and work with families to do the same. I challenge each school to strive for continuous improvement in all our endeavors.” Although time will be the most important factor in improving our school system’s cafeterias, Mr. Hubbard and the cafeteria staff are already hard at work providing students with the best possible improvements in their daily meals.