We all remember the CTC lunch cart (except the freshman) and how it may have just saved a lot of us from starving through the rest of the day. The cart was loaded, 50. cent cookies, $5 calzones and pocket change bakery goods. The food was to die for. The cart was not open all year, but when the sun started shining and the upperclassman took over the 2nd half of the day during 2nd semester the cart was open. As a senior, all the excitement, college finds and senior projects blurred the idea of the food cart. As school seemed to settle it became clear, no one was bringing their leftover food to practice, no one walking the halls with a container of cookies and it became clear. Where is the CTC food cart?
The food cart became a staple and helped improve lunches with friends while also funding the CTC culinary program. It was a clear favorite from both ends, even the teachers. Teachers and CTC students originally were the only ones with access. A few years ago, the rest of Toll Gates student body could access the food cart, at that point, it thrived in the Toll Gate community.
In my own experience with the food cart, I can safely say I enjoyed it. Sometimes the students were allowed to eat outside next to the CTC center to enjoy their purchase. Around Mother’s Day, and my crazy sport schedule, I decided to pick up some cookies for my mother. I spend $5 and brought her a box of homemade cookies. That made her entire day it also saved me a lot of trouble and time. I have had teammates who show up to practice and eat a calzone to fuel them up, saving them money and providing the energy needed to perform as necessary. I have talked to a couple students about it and here is what they had to stay.
“The calzones were fire, they need to bring it back”- Alex Franzan
“Its delicious.” – William Leach
“I don’t think they are doing it this year. I used to put down like 4 calzones in a lunch” – Jack Larrivee
“ It needs to come back because of those calzones” – Lyndsey Allen
With all that being said, I haven’t seen anyone eating outside, I haven’t heard any whispers about hitting up the food cart during 3rd lunch or seen teammates with their easy fuel up. It is unknown where it went or why. It seemed to only be adding value to the community. There are possibilities it is really just for teachers now or flat out not worth it to the culinary program. From what I have seen, a Toll Gate gem, the CTC food cart, has gone under the radar or completely stopped.
