Nyack Middle School, Aramark apologizes for serving chicken and waffles during Black History Month

A New York middle school apologizes after serving students a meal deemed culturally insensitive on the first day of Black History Month.

Nyack Middle School administrators say the hot lunch menu was changed by the vendor without their knowledge on February 1, the first day of Black History Month, to include chicken and waffles with a watermelon dessert, in what the principal described as an “unfortunate situation.” . , This is reported by News magazine.

“We are extremely disappointed by this regrettable situation and apologize to the entire Nyack community for the cultural insensitivity of our food service provider,” said David Johnson, principal of Nyack Middle School, in a statement.

“I am disappointed that Aramark serves food that differs from the published monthly menu. Especially articles that reinforce negative stereotypes about the African American community.”

Several families have expressed outrage at the menu choices, including parent Lindsay Siegel, who told the outlet it was “really disappointing” that the change wasn’t recognised.

Aramark, the school district’s grocer, issued a statement Thursday on the matter.

“Although our menu was not intended to be a cultural meal, we recognize that the timing was inappropriate and our team should have been more circumspect in their service,” Aramark said in a statement. “This was a mistake and does not represent the values ​​of our company and we are committed to doing better in the future.”

Aramark also said it will work with the school to provide sensitivity training to staff working at the school to ensure their actions align with the district’s “vision and commitment to equal work.”

“We believe this will provide a good learning opportunity to deepen understanding of the impact of systemic prejudice and negative stereotypes in relation to the African American community,” the statement said.

Aramark has been in similar situations in recent years, including an incident in 2011 in which UC California-Irvine, an Aramark customer, was criticized for serving an “MLH Holiday Special” with chicken and waffles.

Fox News Digital reached out to Nyack Middle School and Aramark, but didn’t immediately receive a response.