With concerns about the Aviary’s new menu and student response to healthier options, some students are visiting the cafeteria less frequently. TWHS’s Aviary, once a popular spot for snacks and drinks, has recently revised its offerings, and some staff say student engagement is still adjusting.

Over the past several months, the Aviary has replaced items that were high in sugar or calories with USDA Smart Snack-approved options. The new menu includes Sparkling Ice flavored water, V8 Energy Drinks, Gatorade, SunChips, Pirate’s Booty, and granola bars. Some students say they are still figuring out whether the new items are better than the old favorites.

Despite these changes, some students still enjoy the Aviary. Yassin Ebiedy has worked at the Aviary as both a sophomore and a senior.

“It’s hard to say which items will be the most popular,” said Ebiedy. “We’re testing different snacks to see what works, but I think most students will like the new options over time.”

Staff and students agree that simply changing the menu isn’t enough to immediately boost traffic. Habits, schedules, and student preferences all play a role in how often people stop by.

Matt Lacher is a senior who works at the Aviary during eighth period.

“Lunch periods usually bring in about 10–20 people, but other periods are more like 5–12,” said Lacker. “It really depends on the time of day—some periods are busier than others.”

Mr. Savage, the EBA teacher in charge of the Aviary, said the changes were necessary and outlined what’s next.

“The old menu wasn’t USDA compliant, so we had to make adjustments,” said Savage. “Soon we’ll accept card payments, expand the menu, and even bring in more vendors selling items like apparel.”

While the new menu hasn’t yet resulted in a noticeable increase in traffic, staff remain optimistic.

“It’s too early to tell if it’s doing better,” Savage said. “But we’re planning for growth, and we expect more students will start visiting once they get used to the new offerings.”