School Apologizes For Serving Chicken And Waffles Plus Watermelon During Black History Month

People have started celebrating Black History Month across the nation as a way to pay tribute to and remember the significant contributions made by African Americans throughout history.

However, some tributes have been more well-received than others.

For instance, students weren't very pleased when a middle school in New York offered chicken and waffles with a side of watermelon for lunch.

For serving the insensitive meal on the first day of Black History Month, Nyack Middle School's food service provider Aramark has come under fire (1 February).

Aramark is to fault for the controversial meal decision, according to principal David Johnson, who said that the company altered the hot lunch menu without alerting the school.

Officials have confirmed that a Philly cheesesteak with broccoli and fresh fruit was on the original menu for February 1.

According to Nyack NAACP member Wilbur Aldridge, who spoke to CBS News about the meal selection: "If they had served chicken and waffles by itself, I don't know that we would be having this conversation.”

"But the moment you add in the watermelon, that changed the whole complexion, literally."

The watermelon, according to student Honore Santiago, was what also caused her to lift her eyebrows.

"They were asking people if they want watermelon and I remember being confused because it's not in season," she said.

Honore told her mother about her meal as soon as she got home from school, and the two of them were furious.

According to the middle school student, "I didn't think the company was capable of making us feel bad... especially the kids my color."

In response to the "inexcusably insensitive" menu change, Principal Johnson made a statement.

He said: "We are extremely disappointed by this regrettable situation and apologize to the entire Nyack community for the cultural insensitivity displayed by our food service provider.”

"I am disappointed that Aramark would serve items that differed from the published monthly menu.”

"Especially items that reinforce negative stereotypes concerning the African-American Community."

Aramark, meantime, has expressed its own apologies for the insensitive food selection, saying: "While our menu was not intended as a cultural meal, we acknowledge that the timing was inappropriate, and our team should have been more thoughtful in its service."

Additionally, this isn't the first time Aramark has failed during Black History Month.

When they served another racially offensive dinner at New York University during Black History Month in 2018, the corporation got into trouble.

The food at that time was Kool-Aid, water with a watermelon flavor, grilled ribs, cornbread, and collard greens.

Aramark apologized for the event, and the involved workers were fired.

Honore commented: "I thought they learned from their last mistake but I guess not."