THE GREAT BURGER HEIST

Cafeteria reports 500 missing burgers

Once they get to the register the cashier gives them a ticket, they take the ticket to the cashier by the door, who then gives them the sandwich they want.

Director of nutrition and wellness at the USD 497 district, Julie Henry explained that since the cafeteria is losing so much money they will soon have to cut meals.

“Generally, the best meals are the most expensive to produce,” Henry said. “When we are losing money, those are going to be the first meals that get taken off the menuwhich isn’t what we want.”

Henry said that because of the poor decisions of a few students, efficiency in the cafeteria has come to a halt, and it’s ruining student’s lunch experience.

Since the beginning of the school year, students have been stealing burgers from the cafeteria by sneaking them in their pockets. It wasn’t till early October that cafeteria manager Tracy Pobjoy realized the extent of what had been stolen.

According to Pobjoy the school was losing 40-70 burgers a day, which resulted in the food service program losing $86.00 to $150.50 a day. At the rate burgers were being stolen, the school would lose $15,000 to $27,000 a school year.

“This sort of loss makes it more difficult to improve meal quality, impacts staff hiring and keeps the kitchen from being able to buy new supplies and equipment,” Pobjoy said.

This is not the first time the cafeteria has dealt with thievery, in the past the cafeteria staff noticed students stealing drinks, so in response the staff moved the drinks up to the register.

The cafeteria staff has installed a ticket system to prevent students from stealing. Now students have to go through a line to get everything except for a main dish.

“Since we have had to put these extra measures into effect, it slows down the lunch line,” Henry said. “This gives students less time to eat and socialize.”

Although students have less time to socialize, there is a benefit, now all students are able to have a burger at lunch. Before, students who had last lunch didn’t have the same access due to students stealing.