Liftoff Café: Fare Appealing to All Senses
Beginning in 2020, COVID-19 altered many aspects of our lives, from how we work to even how we get lunch. For those still reporting to work on-site, this new reality limited the amount of food service options for the NASA Johnson Space Center team.
With the Buildings 3 and 11 cafés closed, one individual, Sean Wright, stepped up to provide a service for the Johnson team that was sorely missed — the ability find freshly cooked food on-site. It may not seem like such a herculean feat, but in the midst of the pandemic, the Liftoff Café snack shop on the first floor in Building 4S offered a multitude of lunch options for the workforce still coming in to the center. Owned and operated by Wright, who himself is legally blind, the mini café fills a void — and countless stomachs — as the Johnson team continued to live and work within the constraints of the pandemic.
NASA continually works to provide a culture of inclusion, understanding that we are better when we integrate different skillsets and life views into the workforce. One such program making a difference is the Randolph-Sheppard Act, put in place in 1936, which aids State Rehabilitation Agencies in recruiting, training, licensing, and placing individuals who are blind as operators of vending facilities located on federal and other properties.
“I started with NASA in December of 2019 under the Randolph Sheppard Act after being in this line of business for 15 years,” Wright said. “My goal is to bring everyone reasonably priced food with a family feel. I always shoot for the best quality possible at the price that people can afford.”
If you’re on-site and looking for a convenient bite to eat, the right choice for you may just be trying some of Wright’s culinary fare, a feast for all senses, ranging from the traditional burger and fries to tasty paninis, soups, and more.
New for March! In celebration of National Nutrition March, the snack shop is also offering some lighter options, like chicken tortilla soup, veggie medley, fruit cup, or broccoli side dishes, as well as breakfast items cooked with egg whites or veggie sausage.
Try out some fresh food options at the Liftoff Café, or get a snack to go. See the menu below and call 979-574-7405 to preorder for quicker service. Hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.
