At Milken, the Mart is a communal heartbeat. Through the transition from Middle School to High School, however, brings a significant shift in the experience. From the evolving menus to the change in rules, the Mart remains one of the most popular and essential hubs at Milken Community School.
The Middle School Mart experience is defined by the “Window Wait,”That agonizing crawl where you stare at snacks through a pane of glass, pointing frantically at a display you aren’t allowed to touch.
Step into the high school Mart, on the other hand, and that glass ceiling is finally broken. In this scan-and-go sanctuary, students have the freedom to walk the aisles and choose a snack to their liking. It’s the ultimate upgrade, providing small moments of satisfaction.
The high school Mart operates from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM, but the work never actually stops. The mart staff describes restocking as a “continuous process, vendors are currently struggling to keep pace with our record-high consumption levels,” says Lee, a member of our Milken Mart Staff
If you’ve ever found the doors locked during Lishma or smaller free periods, it isn’t an accident. These strategic closures are the only time the staff have to refill the shelves. Traffic is also a factor; sales volume fluctuates wildly based on the block schedule, with Day 1 often looking completely different from Day 3.
The Mart is powered by a massive workforce of over 120 volunteers. A standard shift requires six people plus a dedicated Point of Sale (POS) operator just to keep the “scan-and-go” dream alive.
This environment has fostered a unique student-parent culture. The connection is fast-paced and often hilarious; students and parent-volunteers frequently trade jokes and lighthearted mockery, providing a rare space where students can interact with the parent community in a casual, high-energy setting. An example was shown in the school Purim Spiel. A favorite scene was the segment on the Mart staff, which captured all the fun and unique energy they bring to our school.
Running the Mart isn’t just about stocking shelves, it’s about maintaining a strict 100% Kosher policy. Quality control is so tight that if a manufacturer changes an ingredient in a gummy to something non-Kosher, that item is pulled immediately.
Natalie Copans, 29’ has strong feelings about the mart. “I love the mart, it’s almost always there for me,” she said. It’s such a good “pick me up” snack, helps me get out of the slumps I go through during the day”.
“I usually never go to the mart because of how crowded it gets,” said another student,“ but from the times I’ve gone, I have enjoyed their drinks.”
The shift from middle school to high school involves more than just a change in scenery; it’s a physical change. At the middle school, the experience is much more “hands-on” and regulated. Students line up in the Community Room before school, though notably, Ice cream and Arizona Ice Teas are strictly off-limits until the afternoon.
While the long snake lines at the Middle School remain an unpopular staple of the lunch hour, the high school experience offers students a bit more agency. Staff have noticed that high schoolers are becoming increasingly health-conscious, often shopping with specific nutritional goals in mind, prioritizing fruit, lower-sodium, or higher-protein options.
Quality control isn’t just about keeping things Kosher; it’s about keeping them healthy. The Mart has recently phased out high-sugar items like ice cream cookie sandwiches in favor of healthier options. This shift toward wellness is a joint effort across both campuses, ensuring that whether you’re a middle schooler waiting at the window or a high schooler scanning your own Quest chips, you’re fueled for the rest of the day.
Despite the rules, like the strict “no buying food for middle schoolers” policy, the excitement remains. The Mart continues to be the heartbeat of the hall, proving that a good snack is the ultimate universal language.