By Krystal Klassen

O

n Monday, Dec.5, Lincoln High School finally opened up the salad bar for students. In the five years that Lincoln has been open, the idea for a salad bar had been presented by parents, students and staff.

“It is real important that the student takes at least two items. They can take an entree and a milk and the salad bar, which is everything.  Or they can take the salad bar and the milk,” said Bill Casey, Area Food Service Manager, for San Diego City Schools (SDCS).

When LHS fist re-opened there was not a place for the salad bar to be held. That is because legally it has to be indoors or under a covering, and most schools place it in their cafeteria, something that Lincoln does not have. The foyer, located in the new gym, is the new home for the lunch addition. It gives healthy choices to the lunch menu and now students can have what they want in their salads, instead of picking through the pre-packaged ones.

“We did this when I was the area manager at San Diego High School working with one of the principals. When we found out there was a want and a need for a salad bar here.  Shirley Rumrill, the neighboring supervisor and I, met with Ms. Alvarez (Principal of Lincoln High School) and asked if we could use the gym foyer,” said Casey. “The salad bar was actually requested by, I believe, some parents and the foyer idea was kind of mine cause I wanted to copy cat it like I did at San Diego High. I think it’s going to affect it in a positive way because you have more choices for fruits and vegetables than what we offer in the kiosks. I’m really happy and proud to bring the salad bar here to Lincoln.  Eating healthy is real important.”

“I believe that this salad bar will have a big impact on the Lincoln high students,” said Vanessa Zajfen, Farm to School Specialist. “Number one, they’ve asked for it and they have worked hard to get it. Number two, we are bringing food to Lincoln that hasn't been here before through the Farm to School program and the harvest of the month, which is on the salad bar.  So every month, these kids are going to get local and organic foods coming from our local family farms located here in San Diego. Some students may not get that at home; some may get it every weekend at the farmers market. Who knows? But it’s here at school for them, so that's amazing. It’s going to encourage students to think about how they can eat differently and how they can improve their health through the consumption of fruits and vegetables, and especially local fruits and vegetables. Hopefully you guys will start thinking about where your food comes from. And ask yourself ‘why local is better?’ and ‘why is our school district going through such a big effort to get us local and organic foods?’ ”

According to Mary Geraci, Food Services Senior Cook at Lincoln, there is an average of 150-260 students that take part in the salad bar, which closes once there is no line.

Pedro Mota,  a senior and Youth Health Counsel member, was one of the students who helped advocate for our salad bar. “I eat at the salad bar everyday, it has more options that are healthier and has great new items that we haven’t had before. My favorite is the persimmons. The only problem is it is not accessible by both sides of the campus. We are now trying to bring the salad bar to both sides of the school.”