NY Food Vendor Apologizes After Backlash For Serving Chicken And Waffles For Black History Month
Food vendor Aramark and a New York middle school are apologizing after serving chicken and waffles with watermelon on the first day of Black History Month.
According to CNN, on February 1, Nyack Middle School had originally planned to serve Philly cheesesteaks, broccoli and fresh fruit, but principal David A. Johnson says the lunch menu was changed by Aramark, as he apologized in a letter to parents for insensitivity.
The letter was issued after students and parents highlighted the racial stereotypes for the day’s lunch.
"We are extremely disappointed by this regrettable situation and apologize to the entire Nyack community for the cultural insensitivity displayed by our food service provider," Johnson wrote.
Neither the school or Aramark commented on why the menu was changed in the first place.
Stereotypes of the Black community continue to be an issue, as this is the latest example of prejudice actions taken place with lack of awareness and timing.
Aramark apologized in a statement, writing, “While our menu was not intended as a cultural meal, we acknowledge that the timing was inappropriate, and our team should have been more thoughtful in its service. This was a mistake and does not represent the values of our company, and we are committed to doing better in the future.”
Interim superintendent of schools based in Rockland County, NY, James Montesano, told CNN he intends to go beyond sensitivity training and looks at the mistake as a chance to undo the wrongdoing.
James Montesano, the interim superintendent for Nyack Public Schools, told CNN the district has a longstanding commitment to equity.
"It is our hope that this incident on February 1st will be an opportunity to expand collective knowledge -- beyond 'sensitivity training' -- regarding the racialized systems in which we all live; and ultimately work towards undoing the negative impacts of these systems on our students, staff and school community," Montesano said in a statement.
