The halls at Limestone have been buzzing with talk about the recent changes to our lunch program, but many students aren’t fully aware of the changes. As of the 2025-26 school year, our lunch system has seen many changes, including new menu items and price increases.
Perhaps most notably, students have seen many new menu items, from the highly popular orange chicken to the removal of the less-loved lima beans. Other new additions have included homemade beef stew, shredded chicken and stuffing, and churros.
New cafeteria manager Janet Williams and her staff have been experimenting with new recipes in the hopes that students will appreciate a more diverse menu. Williams said, “I wanted to see you guys have a bigger variety, and I try to be out there a lot so I can hear what the kids are saying. That gives me good feedback because I’m getting it first hand hearing it. A lot of times, I don’t even solicit it, I just listen to them talk in line and hear what they’re saying.”
As well as developing new items for students to try, Williams has also been advertising the new lunches by displaying menus on signs such as those in the entrances and on the cafeteria doors. She also hopes that by having staff encourage students to try new items, they might see an increase in interest both in lunch and breakfast. Williams added, “They’re looking to see the soup and then they’re looking at the other door to see what the main entree is, and I’m like, ‘Yes!’ because, you know, we’re giving them choices and they’re interested enough to look at the doors. That makes me feel good.”
Despite their passion for helping students and desire for variety, the kitchen staff are limited in what they can include in their menu. Williams shared, “The government guidelines are hard for me because the guidelines are strict as far as the amount of sodium I can serve per lunch and the amount of grains and all that type of stuff. So it’s been challenging finding new stuff, but I think I’ve got a good start on it.”
Along with all of the positive changes to the lunch system, many students have noticed an increase in prices. Assistant superintendent Dr. Denise Ryder explained, “We’re required to take the number of meals that we sell each year and use a calculator that’s provided to us from the United States Department of Agriculture. It’s called the Paid Lunch Equity, and we’re required to raise the price of lunches by the CPI index every year.”
Although these prices are out of Limestone’s control, Ryder would like students to know, “It’s never too late to apply [for the reduced lunch program] so, even if at the beginning of the year a family didn’t qualify, if there are circumstances that arise like someone loses a job or something else happens in the household, they can always reapply so that we can provide them with a meal at a cost that kind of meets them where they’re at,” she explained.
Above all, both Williams and Ryder give credit to the LCHS cafeteria staff. Williams shared, “I like bragging about my staff because they work very hard; they really work very hard for you guys. So I would love to be able to share that because it’s not just me with my ideas; they came to me with different ideas too. So anytime I can, I give them the kudos as well.”
