LeGusta Upgraded Snacks Program Brings Big Improvements to PACA Cafeteria

Caption: Students and teachers from PACA lining up to purchase items at LeGusta in the Cafeteria. [Screenshot by Dr. Cristina Meier]

by Rafael Oliveira

Ever since October 8, when PACA announced that the LeGusta Snack Bar would be opening in the school’s cafeteria, students at PACA have been noticing major improvements in the food offerings and services that went with them.

The goal of the upgrade was simple: offer more food options, improve snack quality, expand payment methods, and keep the snack area open for longer hours. Now, the LeGusta hours for snack sales are from 8:00am to 6:00pm, with parents specifically invited to purchase items from 3:30-6:00pm every school day. Staff and parents may pay using the Nutribem app, debit/credit cards, or Pix.

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One of the biggest improvements has been the new variety of food choices. Instead of the same small set of snacks, students now have a wide selection ranging from sweet treats to salty items and healthier options.

Many students say these changes have already made a strong impact on their daily routine. Eating at school has become something many students actually look forward to. Bruna Marujo, a ninth grade student, shared how much the upgrade has helped.

“I think it has benefited a lot by making things more useful for everyone with the schedule and the payments, making it easy for people who don’t have a Nutribem account,” she explained.

She also mentioned that the quality and variety of food have improved. “It has helped us receive more of a variety of sweet and salty food,” said Marujo.

Another major improvement is the extended cafeteria hours. Students can now buy snacks during more parts of the day instead of only during short breaks. This has helped students with different schedules, after-school activities, or anyone who needs a quick snack between classes.

Many say the cafeteria now feels more accessible and less crowded because students aren’t all buying food at the same time.

Payment methods have also become easier to manage. Nutribem is still the main system, but it is now more organized for students who need to add money or check their balance. Even so, some students believe having more payment options would make the cafeteria even better.

Marujo mentioned that although the new system is helpful, “They could add physical transactions with real money.”

Philip Emmamuel, another PACA student who is in 11th Grade, has also noticed the impact of the upgrade.

“I have spent more because of the improvements on the food,” he said, explaining that students are more willing to buy snacks now that the quality and selection are better. He also suggested adding another payment method.

“I think that they should use real money as a new way to pay,” Emmanuel said.

He also added that the better food choices have made the cafeteria more popular, saying, “Other students began to buy more and have had a real want to eat food at PACA.”

Overall, the LeGusta Upgraded Snacks program has made the school cafeteria more enjoyable and more convenient. With better food, easier access, and improved payment options, students feel that PACA is taking steps in the right direction.

As the school continues to improve the cafeteria, many hope the upgrades will keep coming—and keep getting better. The next step that the school will make is evaluating new locations in which to serve snacks more efficiently on campus for students, teachers and parents within the PACA community.