Nutrition Services piloting new teacher meals program
Operations Manager Hernan Urrego (right) introduces new staff meal dishes to Lamar High School Biology Teacher Janna Rancifer (middle) during her lunch break.
The Houston Independent School District Nutrition Services department has launched a new meal program at 14 schools for teachers and school employees to provide meals from HISD’s catering kitchen delivered to their schools.
Nutrition Services Operations Manager Hernan Urrego organized a taste testing at Lamar High School to inform teachers of the new meal service and provide samples of some of the featured dishes.
“We are offering teachers and staff chef-made meals during lunch on campus,” Urrego said. “Today we are sampling three entrees: lasagna, meatloaf and mashed potatoes, and beef fajitas.” Healthier options such as garden and cobb salads also were featured.
Teachers at Lamar High School approached the sample line to get a taste of this month’s options while Urrego instructed them on how to order a lunch.
“It’s a very simple process,” Urrego said. “All you do is visit your cafeteria manager to place your order from the menu you will receive each week through email. Pay in cash, and you will start receiving your meals, at school, the following week.”
Biology teacher Janna Rancifer said it’s a great idea to get food to teachers this way. “I definitely would order food just because of the convenience,” she said. “I’m eager to try it.”
Business education teacher Theadis Reagins agreed with Rancifer about the convenience. “I like the idea,” said Reagins. “This way we don’t have to rush and spend half of our time trying to find food outside campus.”
Science teacher Pervez Firozi complimented the menu for having variety. “It’s helpful to have options,” Firozi said. “I only eat chicken and fish, and I’m glad I have the option of taking a salad instead of the main entrée.”
The teacher meals entrees are $6, and the salads are $5. More menu selections will be added as the program grows.
