A grocer in Rockland County, just outside New York City, has issued an apology after offering what was deemed insensitive to children at a school celebrating Black History Month.
Students at Nyack Middle School were offered chicken and watermelon waffles for dessert on February 1, the first day of the month honoring the triumphs and struggles of African Americans throughout US history.
The menu was said to have caused confusion and outrage among some students and their parents, who viewed the menu as reinforcing negative stereotypes about the African American community.
“They asked people if they wanted watermelons and I remember being confused because it’s not in season,” student Honore Santiago told ABC7.
The school menu stated that the lunch of the day should be Philly cheesesteak, broccoli and fresh fruit, but the students were served chicken, waffles and watermelon
A chicken and watermelon waffle alunch for dessert, which one student claimed “reinforced negative African-American stereotypes.”
The school menu even stated that the meal of the day should be Philly cheesesteak, broccoli and fresh fruit, but for some reason the menu was changed at the last minute.
When Santiago got home and told her mother, they were both outraged by the message she believes she is sending to the black students at the school.
“I didn’t think the company could make us feel bad…especially the kids of my race,” Santiago said.
“If they just served chicken and waffles, I don’t know if we would have this conversation. But the moment you add the watermelon, the whole complexion literally changes,” Nyack NAACP’s Wilbur Aldridge told CBS News.
A food vendor apologized after the lunch they gave Nyack Middle School students on the first day of Black History Month was deemed insensitive
“They were asking people if they wanted watermelons and I remember being confused because it’s not in season,” said student Honore Santiago, pictured
The school district expressed disappointment with vendor Aramark’s “lack of cultural sensitivity.”
The principal said the menu had been changed without the school’s knowledge, noting that the foods chosen “reinforce negative stereotypes about the African-American community.”
“Offering chicken and waffles for appetizers with watermelon for dessert on the first day of Black History Month was unpardonably insensitive and reflected a lack of understanding of our district’s vision to combat racial prejudice,” the school wrote in a letter sent home to the parents.
Nyack Public Schools administrators contacted Aramark officials to insist on a mechanism to avoid repeating the mistake. Vendor has agreed to plan future menu offerings to reflect our values and longstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. We are extremely disappointed in this unfortunate situation and apologize to the entire Nyack community for the cultural insensitivity of our food service provider.’
Interim School Superintendent James Montesano, pictured, says he was told by the food provider the change was partly because the food director died earlier this year and someone else stepped in.
Aramark has explained the menu as something that was not intended to be a cultural meal, but rather a mistake that doesn’t align with the company’s values.
Interim headmaster James Montesano said he was told by the food provider that the change was partly because the food director died earlier this year and someone else stepped in.
‘We apologize for the inadvertent insensitivity. Although our menu was not intended as a cultural meal, we recognize that the timing was inappropriate and our team should have been more attentive to their service. This was a mistake and not in line with our company values and we are committed to doing better in the future.
‘We will work with the district to ensure staff who work in the schools receive training that aligns with the Nyack School District’s vision and commitment to justice work. We believe this will provide a good learning opportunity to deepen understanding of the impact of systemic prejudice and negative stereotypes regarding the African American community,” grocer Aramark said in a statement.
Those who work for the food company are scheduled to undergo training to better align with the school district’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
A similar incident happened in 2018, when the company served NYU students ribs, collards, and Kool-Aid during the same Black History Month celebration.
The school district plans to review menus more closely in the future to prevent similar incidents.
The racial stereotype of portraying African Americans as over-the-top watermelon lovers began in the late 19th century, shortly after slaves gained their freedom during the Civil War, according to The Atlantic.
Watermelon became a staple for black farmers after Emancipation, many grew and sold the fruit, which slowly became a symbol of freedom for the community.
White Southern states, threatened by new agricultural competitors and still suffering losses from the war, responded by associating the fruit with racial tropes aimed at the black community.
The school district plans to review menus more closely in the future to prevent similar incidents. Pictured, February menu