by Emily Reichard, reporter

Milk is one of the five food components that is offered with any school lunch and has always been included with lunches at Jim Thorpe Area High School. If students want something else to drink with their lunches, they have to pay for it. What does the school offer for students with a lactose intolerance, though?

Molly Gallagher, the school district’s Food Services Director, told me, “Lactose free milk is available as a choice if needed.” Students who have a lactose intolerance have the option to get lactose free milk with their lunches without charge However, the mention of the availability of lactose free milk is not listed on the menu.

“I didn’t even know the school had lactose free milk available. They don’t have it set out with the other milk, and they’ve never really said anything about it,” says an anonymous Jim Thorpe junior.

Some students believe that if the school offers lactose free milk to those who need it, then they should make its availability known. “They should put it on the menu or even send home a letter like they did concerning peanut allergies,” Emily Sailer, a Jim Thorpe senior, says.

Other students would rather have the option to get water with their lunches instead of milk. “I think that water should be included because it’s way healthier than the milk at lunch,” Cassie Repecki, a Jim Thorpe junior, states. However, the school is not able to include water in lunches.

“As per the USDA and federal guidelines, school districts are no longer permitted to substitute a juice or water for the milk included in the school lunch for students that are not considered to have a disability,” Gallagher told me.

The school may not be able to offer students water inclusive with their lunches, but students feel that the school should advertise the availability of lactose free milk more. Students with a lactose intolerance may like to know that they have the option of getting lactose free milk. Perhaps the school will put this item on the menu.