They know you: your name, what you wear, and most importantly what you eat. They know you but do you know them? Lunchroom staff here at SHS ensure that Monday through Friday, nine months out of the year, every kid who needs it gets fed.
They tend to fall into the background despite just how crucial they are to our daily lives, going unnoticed and unappreciated for their ever so dire jobs. Which is why I decided to ask two of them a couple of questions and find out more about the people I see five days out of the week, nearly every week. I started by talking to Julie Harmsen, she and Holly Bergeson are the last people you see as you walk out of the cafeteria, lunch in hand, collecting your student number on the computer. They both had more-or-less the same response to my first question, “What is the most fulfilling part of your job?” and the answer just solidifies what we already know: they do this job for us.
“What is the most fulfilling part of your job?”
“You guys, I love seeing you guys! I could be worked really hard back there but when I come and see you guys, you guys are my favorite part.”
– Julie Harmsen
Making meals for so many kids can be a strenuous endeavor but to Julie her experiences with the students make it all worth it. The same can be said for Holly, she too works taking student numbers among other responsibilities. She had some wise words to say about her job and puts great emphasis on the aspect of nutrition:
“What has been your biggest learning experience?”
“My biggest learning experience in life, I guess is what I’m sharing with you all, the foods that we’re making for you right now are all homemade so they’re so much better for you. The food that you eat really affects your mindset and your body and your health, so this is exactly why I’m going to go back to global (a new lunch program sharing all fresh foods from different places around the world). I’m doing global because it’s so much better than the processed stuff you guys get.”
– Holly Bergeson
She talked to me a little bit about her run in with cancer and the way it made her reflect on how she treats her body. Bettering her diet has had a huge impact on her health and she focuses more now on taking care of herself as well as the students she feeds. Holly’s advice changed my perspective on food and may change yours, just another way these women are able to alter the lives around them.
The next time you walk through the lunch line think about what you are eating and the people who are making it possible, “thank you” goes a long way.