When we think of lunch ladies, we often think of the stereotype that all lunch ladies are grumpy, mean-muggin’ people who make slop for the students. Well, the kitchen staff at Campbell couldn’t be even further from that.
To say that these women are some of the most caring people at the school is an
understatement. These ladies feed over 2,000 students every day without fail, not doing it for the money, but for the students. They make sure that no kid goes hungry on their watch since a full stomach makes a healthy mind and energized body.
After having the pleasure of interviewing kitchen staff manager Ms. Thomas and Chef Maryam, I was able to catch a glimpse into the life behind the iron shutters and into the kitchen: where all the magic happens.
Q: What’s one thing you wish people understood about the work that goes into preparing meals for the school?
A: It’s a lot. Like it really is … And I don’t think people think it’s that we’re back here doing much, y’know what I’m saying? Like I feel like we on the bottom of the totem pole: we “don’t do nothin’,” but y’all eat? And we make sure y’all got y’all food … a lot of people don’t think we in here doing all that we do.
Q: What does a typical day in the cafeteria look like from start to finish?
A: I get to work at 5am. That’s because I have a lot of paperwork in the morning. My staff starts coming in at 6:30. And they prepare the breakfast, and our cook? She doesn’t like to give kids leftover food, so she tries to make where there isn’t anything leftover. (Ms. Thomas)
Arguably, these women are the moms of the school. Cafeteria workers don’t get paid as much as other jobs, and they work from sun-up to just before we leave school to go home and try to relax, take care of their families.
They create fresh food for us daily, not using anything frozen or from the day/week before. They each put their heart into every little thing they prepare. And they prepare something different each day. Whether that be the pizza with the dough they roll and sauce they prepare, or the Caesar salads. If you get a side salad with extra dressing and a decent amount of fixings, Ms. Maryam surely prepared it.
While Ms. Maryam tells me that she’s a fan of just reclining on the couch after a long day’s work, Ms. Thomas informs me how she enjoys taking care of her grandchildren. An unspoken prerequisite going into the job is loving kids. And although they enjoy feeding all the Spartans at Campbell, these ladies smile every day when they get to feed some of their favorite students, who often hang out or goof around with them in the line.
INSERT IMAGE OF CAFETERIA WORKERS HERE
Fun Facts
⁜ When asked what food would
represent her, Ms. Maryam said that
she’d be something sweet and
squishy: like mashed sweet potato
with marshmallows.
⁜ Ms. Thomas ended up working at
Campbell because her sister,
convincing her to take the job.
⁜ When ordering a meal in the lunch line as a senior, the cafeteria workers
can see the special senior photos. And every time they see them, they feel so proud of our senior Spartans.
Both Ms. Maryam and Ms. Thomas were in agreement that the duty of a cafeteria worker is not for the faint of heart, so you have to go into that profession with a heart of service and a love for the people you serve.
They know that what it’s like to have the little things make someone’s day, as they’ve had various moments engaging with students that have made their day, giving them all the more reason to look out for them. They prioritize making sure every student is fed and that they keep a smile to make someone feel better.
During my interview, we happened to have a code red drill happen as the cafeteria crew was cleaning up the kitchen. They immediately went into action, shutting the windows and the iron shutters, turning off all equipment and the lights, and getting everyone to safety. While I knew it was a drill, it’s something as small as a cafeteria drill that made me realize something.
By shutting down the kitchen, they cared about both the safety of each other and the students. They are truly dedicated to what they do, and contrary to the popular belief, lunch ladies are pretty chill. They aren’t the cartoonish hags that come up with ungodly concoctions just to say they served the kids. These are people who love, support, and care for their school community, and deserve more recognition than what they have.
While we see the food up front, behind the scenes is a chaotic atmosphere, but it’s a machine that works like clockwork. And that working machine is fueled by some of the most hard-working people I’ve met, who have earned a spot in this month’s highlight for the news. They truly embody Campbell’s values of being committed, honorable, and strong.
To Ms. Thomas, Ms. Maryam, and the rest of the Campbell Cafeteria Crew: Thank You! <3