The Evolution of Little Flower's Cafeteria

Article by Megan LoMastro ‘23

A recurrently fond memory among Little Flower students is their lunch period. Graduates and current students alike celebrate many pivotal high school memories in the cafeteria, spending time between classes with their friends. This experience has not changed since Little Flower first opened its doors, but the food served that is tied to these memories has evolved over time.

An ongoing staple of the cafeteria is french fries. It has always been a favored choice, and even more so when served with cheese. An abundant number of alumnae from the past several decades have reported this item to be their favorite option, and its popularity continues with current students.

Other timeless menu items include soups, slices of pizza, cheeseburgers, and macaroni and cheese, which years ago, used to be a featured item only sold on Fridays.

In the mid-nineteenth century, a common cafeteria favorite was mashed potatoes. Mrs. Mary McCusker Harkins ‘66 notes that, at the time, this item only cost $0.10, which is a dream price for today’s students.

Many students throughout the years have also chosen to pack a lunch from home. Mrs. Rosemary Donohue Ranson '61 affectionately comments that she did not want to waste time waiting in the cafeteria line. She preferred to spend the entirety of her lunch period sitting and having a good time with her friends.

In the 1990s, the cafeteria began serving breakfast. According to alumnae, the menu included items such as french toast sticks, donuts, cereal, and bagels. Now, in 2022, the most popular items are currently several varietal choices of the breakfast sandwich.

2010 alumnae greatly favored wrap options, and Buffalo chicken wraps were especially appreciated. This section of the cafeteria is still well-loved today, and students often customize their own wraps using a variety of meats, cheeses, and vegetables.

As for dessert, chocolate chip cookies are by far the most popular option. Warm or cold, packaged or fresh, Little Flower students have loved this treat for decades. Even students who packed their lunch from home would often indulge in a delicious cookie from the cafeteria. Additionally, ice cream is a favorite choice. Due to its absence for several years prior, current LF students were overjoyed when this option was brought back to the menu as recently as a few weeks ago.

Free time, like lunch periods, is an important part of one’s high school experience, and Little Flower has never failed to produce a lunchtime environment that sparks memory-making. The range of food choices since 1939 is something that invokes gratitude in almost every LF girl.