Since returning to school after break, many students have noticed a shortage of metal forks in the lunch room.

“There have been a lot more plastic forks,” junior Scott Ring said.

Students generally have found that the plastic forks are inferior to the metal ones they have become accustomed to.

“They cannot cut as well,” freshman Alex Bogart said. “They’re flimsy and just all around not as convenient as the metal ones. It’s very annoying.”

Sophomore Kristen Nease said she also has a difficult time cutting food.

“The prongs always break,” Nease said. “I hate it.”

The weaknesses of the plastic forks are not the only downside.

“You have to throw them away, so it’s bad for the environment,” Ring said.

Sophomore Griffin Lowry said it’s wasteful to use forks that people can use only once.

“It’s hypocritical that the school looks down on not recycling things like paper, yet doesn’t even reuse forks,” Lowry said. “It’s also a huge waste of money.”

Some students are fairly indifferent about the change in this essential utensil.

“I don’t think it’s a huge issue,” junior Brandon Davidson said. “I’ve still found that it can be harder to use the plastic forks though because they aren’t as durable. I prefer metal.”

Ring said he’s not upset about the new forks.

“It’s just different,” Ring said.

According to some students, the plastic forks do have some pros.

“On the bright side, you know they’re very clean because it’s never been used by anyone before,” Davidson said.

There are a variety of reasons students believe the fork material has changed.

“They’re probably trying to save water,” junior Ben Sadler said. “Or maybe they had some left over.”

Some students say it could be a monetary problem.

“Maybe we can’t afford metal ones anymore, but I doubt they cost much,” Bogart said. “Also the cooks may just not like washing a lot of dishes.”

Ring said this could be happening because the school hates the students.

Cafeteria worker Eileen Dreher said the reason is because students often throw away the metal forks.

“We have to replenish them every other month or so,” Dreher said. “Now the district is out of forks and can’t get any at the moment.”