The lunch menu at Sacred Hearts Academy just got beefier.

In addition to hot meals and various snacks, students are now able to create their own pizzas and sandwiches, by choosing from a list of toppings and ingredients. During the cooler months, they can warm up with an array of soups, such as Homestyle Chicken Noodle soup, Portuguese Bean soup, Beef Vegetable soup and Tomato Bisque.

These additions are an expansion of the “build-your-own” salad option, which began last year and was a hit with the faculty, staff and students.

The expanded program rotates on a weekly schedule; students can order personalized sandwiches during week one, add some greens into their diets during the second week and on the third week, assume the position of an Italian chef by creating their own pizzas.

To order a customizable lunch, students should fill out order forms before school or during recess. The cashier will then charge their accounts. During lunch, students can pick up their meal on the opposite side of the snack bar line. The special creations are available daily, with the exception of Mass and Assembly schedule days.

The Academy’s Sodexo Supervisor Erin Awai says this program makes lunch easier for teachers and students with busy schedules.

“I understand that a lot of students have club meetings during lunch,” Awai said. “This option provides them with grab n’ go lunch, with no lines to wait in!”

With personalized meals, come local support. About 30-percent of the ingredients Sodexo uses in its meals is purchased from local vendors and companies, according to Awai.

Senior Shailyn Makana Wilson, a “build-your-own” salad enthusiast, believes the expansion caters more towards students’ taste buds.

“I think it’s great that they expanded the program,” Wilson said. “Students can personalize their food. Before, students couldn’t decide on what they wanted to eat. Now, the program allows students to order a meal that they chose and created.”