NewsPalm Beach CountyRegion C Palm Beach CountyGreenacres

Actions

Palm Beach County School District opens sixth food court-style lunchroom

Posted at 12:04 PM, Aug 15, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-15 12:15:23-04

The Palm Beach County School District opened its sixth food court-style lunchroom.

John I. Leonard High School is the largest high school in the district and already serves over 1600 lunches on an average day. Over the summer it received a $2.1 million upgrade.

RELATED:More back to school coverageSmarter Lunchrooms program works to make school lunches healthier

The environment is more mature and sophisticated. The static menu includes over 30 options every single day. On-trend restaurant concepts include Asian Xperience (Asian cuisine), Cafe Sol y Mar (Latin American cuisine), the Gourmet Deli (sandwiches, wraps, and salads), Beyond Burgers (comfort food), and Fresh & Fast (grab-and-go). Some of the signature dishes to be found are Mojo Pork Carnitas, House-Made Flatbread Pizzas, Korean BBQ Beef, and Hot Italian Flatbread.

Teachers tested it out the week before the start of school. 

Lyn Balicki, guidance coordinator at John I Leonard said, "I’ve been here for 30 years and this is fantastic. It is the first time I’ve seen something so attractive, something that makes it so enthusiastic and I’m sure the kids are going to love it."

Steve Robertson teaches history and says he is in favor of the healthier options. "When students get too much sugar and come into my class, they then want to fall asleep, and I don’t want them hyped up and I don’t want them falling asleep, so healthy options it is." 

The program is also at Palm Beach Central High School, Royal Palm Beach High School, Santaluces High School, Forest Hill High School, and Atlantic High School.