Real Bites at Fillmore Central Elementary School

By Jason Sethre
jason@fillmorecountyjournal.com

Wed, Jan 11th, 2012
Posted in All Real Bites

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A healthy dose of �brain food� at the Fillmore Central Elementary School cafeteria. Photo by Jason Sethre

This week's Real Bites segment takes me back in time about 30 years.

On this trip down "memory lane" I decided to bring my wife along for the ride -- a fine dining experience at the Fillmore Central Elementary School cafeteria.

With our daughter attending Kindergarten at the Fillmore Central Elementary School, my wife and I have been continually contemplating our schedules and trying to pick a day when both of us could join her for lunch at the school cafeteria. Finally, this past Wednesday, the Sun, the Moon and the stars were aligned.

When we arrived at the school in Preston, we checked in at the front office. I was worried we'd need to make reservations, but this restaurant was very accommodating.

Our daughter was completely surprised and excited with our unexpected arrival.

As we stood in line with the children, waiting to enter the food selection area, I noticed the children were walking away with a tray full of one of two things: a bowl of chili or chicken tenders.

As a grown man, I contemplated whether I should order two meals, maybe even three.

I started with one meal, thinking I'd probably be making another trip back through the line. This is an all-you-can-eat buffet, right? Well, not quite. But for $1.87 per meal, I could eat three meals for under $6.00. Wow! Kudos to the chef and the accountant!

This reminded me of my younger years attending Hawthorne Elementary School in Rochester. We always had recess after lunch and we could not leave our lunchroom table until everyone at the table had finished eating all of their food. I recall the days they served sweet potatoes. There wasn't one kid at our table who liked sweet potatoes, and being the team player I was I ate about 12 helpings of yams so we could all be excused. The trays just kept coming way, and I felt like a human vaccuum -- clogged with sweet potatoes.

For recess that day, I was in a somber state, merely watching children play while I sat alongside the building holding my bulging belly.

I still like sweet potatoes, but I will not eat yours -- in case you were wondering.

Getting back to our experience at the Fillmore Central Elementary School cafeteria, the food was very good and healthy, and the staff was excellent. We enjoyed the questions from all of the children. Our daughter appreciated our surprise visit that day, and we enjoyed the experience.

As we left, I told my wife, "Honey, don't tell me I don't ever take you out for dinner!"

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