Where Did The Juices Go?
Those of you who were here last year likely remember enjoying cranberry or apple juice at lunch. And this year, you’ve probably noticed that they are no longer there. What happened? Why are they gone? And what are these "infused waters" that have taken their place? I had a conversation with Mr. Shapiro to find out.
In our conversation, Mr. Shapero explained that the juices he served last year were made from a concentrate. The concentrate would be mixed with water and stirred. The mixes had to be bought in bulk, and each case was by no means cheap. The mixes were becoming increasingly harder to find, as there are limited suppliers of juice mixes, let alone kosher options. But however, the decision to switch to infused waters was not just out of such difficulties: Mr. Shapero also took into account the health benefits students could enjoy. With all the places around the school to get candy, (Rabbi Ruben’s office, Ms. Hunt’s office, etc.) Mr. Shapero realized the school needed a healthier option for refreshments at lunch.
The solution? Replace sugary juices with infused waters. In order to make infused water, a fruit or vegetable — such as a cucumber or apple — is cut and placed into a container of water early in the morning. Over time, the fruit/vegetable will soak and distribute all of the flavor evenly into the water, creating the delectable drink.
The decision to switch to these infused waters was made over the summer, by Mr. Shapero in concert with the administration cut the juice and start serving infused waters with lunch instead. Mr. Shapero was “concerned that there would be a lot of pushback” and that many students would question the decision.
But in reality, the opposite is happening. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, from both students and the professional community alike. Mr. Shapero says that students “absolutely” enjoy the infused waters, and that consumption of them is virtually similar to the juices. And students who don’t care for the infused waters are drinking regular ice water instead.
But if the school is trying to be healthier, shouldn’t there be less candy available to students? The thinking behind the candy idea is that students will interact with their teachers. The candy is a way for Rabbi Ruben and Ms. Hunt to bring students into their offices so they can connect with them on a more personal level. It should be noted however, that Ms. Hunt offers fresh fruit, raisins, and pretzels, in addition to chocolate.
Will juice ever return to lunch? “Yes” says Mr. Shapero, who adds that juices haven’t been offered as frequently as he expected. His goal is to have juices out about once a week, with exceptions of course, such as Knesset asking for juices during Sukkot. But students should expect there to be “sweetened beverages from time to time.”
As Mr. Shapero’s cutback on juices shows, JCHS continues to makes strides in offering healthier food and beverage options for students. Hopefully, these healthier trends can extend outside of JCHS and serve as a reminder on the importance of being healthy.
