Nutrition Services listened to Madison High School’s students’ pleas for a new direction in the cafeteria. This past summer, Nutrition Services remodeled and rebranded the school’s facility, and students now enjoy a wider selection of menu items and the convenience of faster service.
When Operations Manager DeWayne Rawls assumed supervision of the day-to-day activities at Madison’s cafeteria during the 2014–2015 academic year, he knew it was time for a change. Rawls, in partnership with the Houston Education and School Personnel (HESP), conducted a focus group at Madison HS in which students voiced their opinions about menu choices and service.
“This was a low-participation cafeteria,” Rawls said. “The serving lines were outdated, and students’ wants were not being fulfilled.”
Food Service Attendant Team Leader Titilola Abumere said Madison HS now offers a broader and healthier menu to please all taste buds. “We have worked hard to serve on four lines,” Abumere said. “I’m excited to be part of the improvements.”
Special Education Teacher Steven Roquemore says students are loving the new look and variety of the cafeteria. “They say you eat with your eyes first, and students like what they see,” he said.
Student Billy Berry also enjoys the new products served during lunch, such as Izzy water and the broad selection of vegetables. “I like fresh broccoli,” Berry said. “We did not have as much selection as we do now.”