New York school and grocery vendor apologize for serving chicken and waffles on first day of Black History Month

New York City High School apologizes for treating students to food deemed culturally insensitive on the first day of Black History Month.

Nyack High School officials say that on February 1, the first day of Black History Month, a vendor changed the hot lunch menu to include chicken and waffles with watermelon dessert without their knowledge, in what the school principal called “an unfortunate situation.” , It is reported by The Journal News..

“We are extremely disappointed with this unfortunate situation and apologize to the entire Nyack community for the cultural insensitivity shown by our food service provider,” Nyack High School Principal David Johnson said in a statement.

“I am disappointed that Aramark is serving dishes that differ from the published monthly menu. Especially those that reinforce negative stereotypes about the African American community.”

Several families expressed outrage at the menu choice, including parent Lindsey Siegel, who told the publication it was “really disappointing” that the change was not noticed.

Aramark, the school district’s food supplier, issued a statement on the matter on Thursday.

“While our menu was not intended as a cultural meal, we acknowledge that the timing was not right and our team should have been more thoughtful in serving,” Aramark said in a statement. “This was a mistake, it does not reflect the values ​​of our company, and we are committed to the best in the future.”

Aramark also said he would partner with the school to provide sensitivity training for employees working at the school to ensure their actions are in line with the district’s “vision and commitment to work based on equality.”

“We believe this will provide a good opportunity to deepen our understanding of the impact of systemic biases and negative stereotypes against the African American community,” the statement said.

Aramark has been in similar situations in years past, including an incident in 2011 when UC California-Irvine, an Aramark customer, was criticized for serving an “MLH holiday special” that featured chicken and waffles.

Fox News Digital contacted Nyack High School and Aramark but did not immediately receive a response.