As school starts back up in person, students are again looking for places to buy and eat their lunch. Luckily, the school and the surrounding community offer a wide variety of tasty options.

Right here on campus, the cafeteria offers an array of food choices, and all of the food is completely free. A student simply has to punch in their student ID and pick their meal. The cafeteria serves two breakfasts, one before school and one during nutrition break, and a lunch.

While the cafeteria already serves multiple kinds of food, including vegetarian options, a cafeteria worker stated that later in the school year  “It’s gonna be more…our options are limited…because our kitchen is not done we can’t really do the hot food yet.”

She also explained that the food is now free “because of the pandemic…it just kept on going and going…it’s a continuation…and it’s in all the schools that way.” During the pandemic the school started bagging up food, and did not charge for it, in order to make it more accessible to kids. This school year they continued to keep it free, making it easy for students to grab food whenever they need it.

For students that are able to venture off campus, there are plenty of other places to grab food. There are many restaurants within walking distance, including Big Chico Burger, Subway, El Patron, Safeway, and a few others along East Avenue.

If driving one can make it to most places in Chico during the 40 minute lunch period,, but some favorites that are closer to the school include Fast Eddies, Mod Pizza, Spiteri’s and Chipotle.  Restaurants will also often offer student specials or student discounts, so be sure to ask about those when you stop by.

As school starts back up in person, students are again looking for places to buy and eat their lunch. Luckily, the school and the surrounding community offer a wide variety of tasty options.