[nat sound – cafeteria bustling]

Nola Baldassare, reporter: Buying food from Cafe Lab is a daily occurrence for many U-High students. Sophomore Victoria Syverson is no different, having tried the offerings at several different stations. Recent improvements in the cafeteria salad bar have been pushing Victoria and others to eat healthier.

Victoria Syverson: [Victoria describes what has changed for the better in the cafeteria’s healthier sections]

These food stations, especially the salad bar, haven’t always been like this. Unappealing ingredients that were often in short supply made Victoria and other students turn to eating foods like fries or pizza, or nothing at all.

Victoria: [Victoria on the past issues that the salad section had]

[nat sound]

Now, Victoria enjoys the freedom and flexibility that this new lunch option brings her, all while making her more open to mindful eating.

Victoria: [Victoria discusses the benefits of the healthier stations she has been leaning into]

It isn’t only her. According to the USDA, the nutrition provided by cafeterias has been improving. School foods nationwide score on average between 20 and 30 points higher on the Healthy Eating Index than non-school foods. Victoria has seen a similar positive shift in those around her reaching for more nutritious and well-balanced meals.

Victoria: [Victoria describes the larger positive shift she’s seen in students’ eating habits — both more nutritious food and more food in general]

Now, that daily trip to the cafeteria means much more to those across U-High, and across the country. I’m Nola Baldassare, reporting for the U-High Midway.

[nat sound – buying food at a register]