The inviting hum of the cafeteria and the warm scent of breakfast foods fill the air as student and staff voices bring bright energy to the room. The abundance of carefully arranged meals and the smooth fluctuation of the line speaks to the competency and commitment of the nutrition services staff. Nutrition services supervisor Alithea Cairo has been working at Woodbridge High for three years with over 20 years of nutrition services experience. She details her busy everyday schedule to highlight the staff’s non-stop work duties.

“I’m doing my orders, answering emails on the computer, [then] serving breakfast, serving lunch, [and] prepping any other things we need for the week,” Cairo said.

Leslie Horta, who has worked in nutrition services at Woodbridge High for two years, makes pasta salad, charcuteries and cold lunch items. She comments on how this extensive effort in food preparation is adding to the cafeteria having more high-quality and home-cooked style options for students.

“Before, [most food] was packaged. Now, everything’s made [from] scratch, and everything that we’re preparing in-house, it’s selling out,” Horta said.

Not only do the nutrition staff make an impact on the student body with these more healthful food options, but they also have increased inclusivity in their menu. By participating in special menu requests during Intercultural Week and increasing the vegetarian and vegan menu options, nutrition staff have helped students feel included.

“For lunch, we’ve been breaking 1,000 every day for the last, like, two weeks, almost. Whereas last year we broke 1,000 like every here and there…So it’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it if you guys are taking the food. Happy to do it,” Cairo said.

The staff mentioned that another rewarding part of the job is their interactions with students. Ruth Kovalchuk, who has worked in nutrition services for 25 years, has had all of her four children graduate from Woodbridge High. She recognizes her connection to Woodbridge High as a community to which she feels close. She is passionate about bringing joy to students’ days.

“Making [students] happy, making their day go a little bit easier, maybe less stress over classes or anything, just keep them happy,” Kovalchuk said.

Cairo, who runs the nutrition staff’s Instagram page, finds it funny when students look for menu items in the cafeteria that she posted on social media. Despite the challenges of working in nutrition and how rewarding it can be, the difficulties and importance of cooking for students in school are underestimated. Senior Marleen Juarez elaborates on her experience with her parent working in nutrition services.

“From experience, my mom, she enters work at [4:30 to 5:00 a.m.] because she is in the behind the scenes for Irvine’s Unified School District Central [Kitchen] or Nutrition Services. And I think that it takes a lot of work because there’s so much being put into it,” Juarez said.

Juarez elaborates that Woodbridge High students do not give these staff members enough recognition, detailing that they’re very considerate and friendly, but that the staff’s efforts are often overlooked as a minor thing.

“I just want to say thank you to the staff. They work really hard. I know it’s not necessarily easy, especially with high schoolers and you know, different kids of age. It’s very stressful and you know your hard work doesn’t go unnoticed,” Juarez said.

Some ways that students can show the nutrition services department that they care include keeping the cafeteria clean, saying thank you, following the rules and acting politely and responsibly.

This story was originally published on Golden Arrow on November 22, 2024.