Five years ago, Seminole County Public Schools surveyed students across its nine high schools and asked what they were most interested in when it came to food choices. The resounding answer? A café.
“One of the things that was on the list was a coffee [place] concept. So we wanted to provide [students] with great coffee without paying $8 [every time],” SCPS Coordinator of Operations David Hawk said.
The menu of the new Filtered café, which opened the first day of the second semester, seems to live up to that idea. Students can get a hot coffee, iced tea or a lemonade for just $1.75; a hot chocolate for $2.50; a nitro cold brew for $2.95; and a café latte for $3.25. Customizable options for drinks are available, with syrup flavors like vanilla, peach, strawberry and caramel being available to add for 50 cents extra. At a station near the café, students can sweeten drinks with stevia or add whole milk to use as a creamer.
One of the things that was on the list was a coffee [place] concept. So we wanted to provide [students] with great coffee without paying $8 [every time].
— David Hawk, SCPS COO
While the café sells drinks during breakfast, break and lunch, during the lunch hour, the café serves deli subs and toasted sub sandwiches, along with salads, hummus boxes and parfaits. While this may seem like a wide variety of options, many of these menu items are already available in the cafeteria.
Despite having many of the same food options that have already been available, the café has been a popular new spot on campus, with long lines blocking cafeteria doors, and reactions to the new café have been positive, with junior Anne Smith noting its modern style.
“I think it adds more character to our school,” Smith said. “The menu items are really creative and gives [students] more options when it comes to selecting our lunch.”
I think it adds more character to our school, the menu items are really creative and gives [students] more options when it comes to selecting our lunch.
— Anne Smith, 11
Others were not so favorable of the new café, stating that they do not see the appeal. The lack of creamer options has also come under fire, with some complaining that it shuts out people who can’t digest lactose or simply prefer non-dairy creamers.
“If I want to enjoy a latte, I have to provide my own creamer or my options are limited,” senior Rebekah Reyes said, “that doesn’t seem fair at all.”
Overall, the idea of a micro-restaurant is a long time coming , as other high schools have already had the chance to experience cafeteria renovation. More expansions will be coming in the future, but for now, the Filtered café is open for business.
