On the first day of Black History month, students at Nyack Middle School (New York) were served an ‘insensitive’ lunch, according to the principal who apologized for the incident. The menu stated that the cafeteria would provide students with Philly cheesesteaks, broccoli, and fresh fruit. Instead, the school lunch provider, Aramark, served the students chicken and waffles and watermelon for dessert. (What? No Orange Drink?!)
In a letter sent to parents, Principal David Johnson said:
“I am disappointed that Aramark would serve items that differed from the published monthly menu, especially items that reinforce negative stereotypes concerning the African-American
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community.”
He also informed parents the menu choices Aramark provided were “insensitive” and said he called Aramark to work out a way similar incidents could be avoided in the future. Aramark agreed to be more cognizant about what it plans to offer in its lunch menu, according to the letter.
Aramark acknowledged their ‘faux pas’ apologized to the Nyack community. They also said he menu was not intended as a cultural meal.
“The situation at that middle school was our mistake and never should have happened. It stands in direct contrast to who we are as a company and our longstanding commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. We have apologized for our mistake, and are working to determine how it happened and make sure it never happens again. We serve millions of meals every day and our team does an excellent job meeting the needs of the communities we serve.”
