As I entered Cafeteria C, the line was already so long that there was nowhere to stand. Those coming into the cafeteria had to squeeze past the wall of people blocking the way. Every school year, there are always some who enter through the doors, and instead of squeezing towards the end of the line, they sneakily cut in the middle. As soon as someone does that, the people around them instinctively know. After all, when you’re forced to stand around and do nothing for 20 minutes, you tend to notice when people try to cut.

On September 8, 2023, Chartwells ran out of food in Cafe C. I waited in line for 13 minutes, and when I got to the end of the serving trays, the head chef came out of the doors and gestured an arm, cutting people off. I was right behind that arm. “Everyone behind this arm, you have to go to the other kitchen. We have no more food here.” The chef said. As soon as that was said, everyone in the back of the line bolted to the other kitchen, practically stumbling on top of each other. Each person took advantage of the fact that they had an easy exit and clear path to the other kitchen. I, and a few other people who were in the very front of the line, were now stuck in the back of the line of the other kitchen. 

After another 8 minutes, I was now up to be served. “Sorry, you’re going to have to wait. We just ran out of chicken. We are out of the chicken, broccoli, beans, and biscuits. Do you just want the rest of the cheese on the bottom?” We both laughed through the mutual frustration. 

I waited for an additional 4 minutes. That’s when the head chef came back with a boat of just 2 chicken patties. “This is all we have in Cafe B.”

“Check A.”

After that day, it has never gotten that bad again (where they have run out of ALL food).

However, they have continuously run out of the main entree in both Cafe C and B. 

Lunch being only 25 minutes this year only exacerbates this situation. 

For example…

With a 25-minute lunch period, 20 minutes of waiting in line leaves you with a measly 5 minutes to eat. This short amount of time is a recipe for indigestion or an increase in food waste. 

I can see why they chose 25 minutes. In theory, 25 minutes should be enough time to eat. But for those who buy lunch, you have 25 minutes to get downstairs, wait in line, and find a spot to eat. I have an average of 7 minutes to eat my lunch every day. This may not apply to everyone, but a majority of the people I’ve polled have had similar experiences.

After releasing a poll on Instagram, I found that out of 67 respondents:

• 56 of 67 said that 25 minutes was too short
• 11 of 67 said that 35 minutes was short but manageable.

“I just wish we had the time we had last year for senior release. They’re giving us this freedom but for half as much time as we would have with the old schedule.” – Anonymous 

“By the time I go upstairs to nibble on my sad school lunch, the lady’s already coming around talkin’ ‘bout some, “LUNCH IS OVER! LUNCH IS OVER! LUNCH IS OVER! Kicking us out” – Dylan Britt

“Everyone’s going to try to buy lunch all at once. Also, the 50 minutes of lunch is an illusion, because what if you have a club meeting? It’s still 25 minutes.” – Anonymous 

“For me, when I get out of line, I have less than 15 minutes to eat. I feel like I’m in a rush to either throw away or eat too fast.” – Owen Sanchez

Even those who do not buy lunch have expressed unhappiness with the significant cut to the time we are allotted in the day to eat. This limited time also serves as a time for us to be social with friends who may not have classes with us— the same friends who may live miles away.

 Could I have gone to a different cafeteria in the beginning? Yes, although there are a few disadvantages. In Cafe A and B, you may only choose between cheese sticks, pepperoni pizza, a chicken sandwich, and occasionally a cheese chicken “hoagie”, with your standard selection of a fruit or vegetable. In Cafe C, there is a different hot entree every day. 

If it is the 1st day of the week, Cafe C will serve “breakfast” for lunch. On the 2nd day, it is nachos or tacos. On the 3rd day, it is “Chinese” food. On the fourth, it is American. On the fifth, it is either a tomato sandwich (usually once a month) or a burger. A common misconception is that “Taco Tuesday” has to happen on a Tuesday. If we just had a three-day weekend, there’s no Taco Tuesday. It’s breakfast for lunch on Tuesday. Taco/Nacho Tuesday will then be Taco/Nacho Wednesday. 

Data: 

Since the implementation of block scheduling, lunchtime has been cut by 44.44%.

2021: 45 Minutes

2022: 35 Minutes

2023: 25 Minutes