Freedom is introducing a new lunch program that will be transitioning food options over the course of the next few months. Due to Mr. Randy Walker, director of the previous food service, resigning, Freedom hired the Nutrition Group. The Nutrition Group was a choice for Freedom because the students are able to share their opinions via survey and also through the student advisory council on what they like. Receiving good-quality food and to have more alternatives throughout the school year.

Walker was in charge of the elementary, middle and high school cafeteria, making sure Freedom was following state guidelines and setting up menus. After going through the interview process, the Nutrition Group was officially hired at the first October school board meeting on Thursday, Oct. 3, but Freedom had started to work with them at the beginning of this school year.

For several years, Freedom has had a self-operation lunch program, but unlike the past, the Nutrition Group is a company that works with many schools in Beaver County, including Rochester, New Brighton, Central Valley, Beaver Falls and Aliquippa.

This program will be introducing new foods throughout the next few months, transitioning from old ways, to news ways. The lunch menu itself will consist of many different options. Fresh, homemade pizza will be made every day, buffalo chicken wraps, hoagies, salads, chicken patties and burgers will be a few of the many options provided on the menu throughout the year. A hot option will be put out as well.

According to the new food service director, Ms. Natalie Roser, a survey will be conducted in the next couple months to get students’ opinions on the matter and have their say on what they would like to see on the menu, with of course, meeting state guidelines. This new menu, however, will take time for people, such as lunch ladies, and students to gather opinions and adjust.

According to Roser, the difference between having a self-operation director and a company program director is that there is a great amount of support with a company program. One single person, like Mr. Walker, has a lot that he has to handle on his own including deadlines and certifications, while she has a company that is her backbone and support.

“I started at Rochester, but was eager to come and join Freedom not only because it is a bigger school, but I can also make changes and improvements so that the students can have many more options and quality food,” Roser said.

For the upcoming survey, students should think of what they like to see in the menu. It is crucial that students complete this survey, so that the the Nutrition Group is able to identify what items are agreeable and disagreeable to add to the menu.

“In the next couple months, the survey will be created and sent out so that we can see what majority of students want for the menu,” Mr. Steven Mott said.