Food service’s Mendoza serves slices of pizza and respect
Leticia Mendoza has been working in food services for more than nine years and has no plans to slow down or stop.
By CAYLEN GARIBAY
The Tower
Buttons beep. Students chatter. And inside the cafeteria at Manteca High School, bellies fill with laughter and lunch.
Leticia Mendoza stands behind a screen that uses number codes to identify students at Manteca High School. She hands out one slice of cheese or pepperoni pizza to each student with respect and care, ensuring sanitation with a hair net and gloves.
“Sometimes it can be chaotic,” she said, “but it’s nothing I cannot handle.”
Leticia Mendoza has been working in food services for more than nine years and has no plans to slow down or stop.
Mendoza speaks Spanish to some students she knows well. And to all students, she performs her job with a smile, respecting each student’s choice of lunch. Mendoza has been working in food services for more than nine years and has no plans to slow down or stop.
This isn’t just a job for Mendoza; this is a chance to build a connection with the students she meets every day during lunchtime.
Mendoza’s job is commonly overlooked, but it has its own set of challenges and benefits.
“Sometimes it can be chaotic,” she said, “but it’s nothing I cannot handle.”
Mendoza has many responsibilities to her name in the kitchen, including making sure there is enough food for a student body pushing 2,000 students; making sure food is not spoiled or spoiling; working with the rest of the food services team to prepare everything in time; and of course, serving the food to her students and braving the lunch rush.
Even with these responsibilities, she has no issue with stress. In fact, she is an extremely consistent person who can fight through even the most tiring or slow days.
“Having enough food for the students can be hard,” she admitted.
Mendoza’s biggest help for her getting through the tough days comes from the influence of her students. Her connection with them has been built up by her friendly and positive attitude toward her job.
Leticia Mendoza has been working in food services for more than nine years and has no plans to slow down or stop.
“The connection with them allows me to learn about the people,” she said, “and it gives a love to the job.”
Mendoza commonly strikes up small talk with the students. These conversations have produced daily interactions, as many of the same students frequent her cart or post. She does her best to approach this often ravenous and excited bunch with a gold heart and patience.
She serves them slices of both pizza and respect, and this approach to her job has strengthened her love for the role and responsibility – making sure all of the school’s students are fed and cared for.