Food Fair is a highly anticipated biannual fundraising event held at Buena, collectively hosted by both students and teachers. This event provides an opportunity for classes, sports teams, and organizations to raise funds by creating diverse food menus. During lunch, students and staff can explore and purchase a variety of dishes, making it a vibrant celebration of culinary creativity and community support.
In regards to the prep put in for Food Fair, the Science League got a head start according to advisor Caleb Kellogg, who also teaches AP physics and chemistry.
“We have a plan in place, but it still takes about a week or so to prepare it because we have to pick up liquid nitrogen, which has to be put into a special vessel and filled in Oxnard,” Caleb Kellogg said.
Club members and leadership also take initiative practicing their service and organization skills by not only planning the menu and budgets, but also handling customer service and finances on the day of Food Fair.
“As club advisors, [Aidan] Kelly and I really wanted to make a point of having the students take ownership of the process,” Kellogg said, “it’s a student-led club, and we didn’t want to take that opportunity away from the students to get the experience in event organization.”
Despite the traveling they have to do, it was still a great decision for Science League.
“Overall, I think that Food Fair was a success. I thought there was a great student turnout…last year’s event it was probably our biggest fundraiser all year,” Kellogg said.
However, even before organizations, classes and sports can start to map out what their own plans are, by submitting to ASB to get approved a table. Once all the forms are filled out and approved ASB begins assigning tables.
On the other hand, one of the small issues with assigning tables is when the forms are turned in late delaying the planning. Due to ASB starting to plan the map weeks prior, getting confirmation for all the organizations is a crucial part of the process.
“They have to be approved to have a table at food fair so it really helps when people get it in early,” sophomore president Chloe Morgan said. “When people get it in late it creates a lot of stress.”
In addition to the pre-planning, each table comes up with their own budget and food items, turning in another form to ASB to place orders for the foods, unless they haven’t gotten it themselves. Some clubs decide to get cheaper items but end up raising the price to earn more income. Putting the funds they earn towards their own intentions makes it all worth it in the end.
“I think it’s worth it because the money helps when we have to fund raise for prom and other dances, like senior ball and homecoming,” Morgan said.
Overall, for most school organizations the food fair was a bonding experience for the members and a financial gain. The food fair was not just a major financial success, but also fun and delicious for students.
“It’s a good fundraiser for the school,” sophomore vice president Jollie Guerrier said. “I’ve seen a lot of clubs bring in a lot of money, it’s fun and all the students enjoy it.”
