On Friday, March 31, the last day before spring break, students and faculty huddled around the exits of the commerce area of the cafeteria with their eyes set on the pockets of the students streaming out. 

Stealing food in the lunchroom has become commonplace, with lemonades and small snacks going missing left and right, but on March 31, all of the theft was brought to light.

Senior Aïssata Koné witnessed the questioning that the initial few students were underneath.

 “After that, a lot of people were being checked,” she said.

They were also asked to empty the contents of their pockets. 

“If we had increased portion sizes and food options, [the student body] wouldn’t have to steal,” Koné said.

Insufficient lunch portions have been on the radar for students since the return of paid lunches following the beginning of moving forward from pandemic. 

Meanwhile, the administrators have focused on the contents of our lunch this year. The topic was on the table for discussion at a recent Neighborhood Council meeting hosted by Assistant Superintendent Dr. James Conley

However, students like sophomore Hannah Loyd seem to be more concerned about the size of our plates rather than what is in them.

“The general consensus is that the portions are a little too small for a growing teenager,” Loyd said.

There is just one thing she would say to administrators if they agreed to listen. 

“The cost of lunches should be lowered and the portions should be increased.”