Student Gripes Have a Point: Campus Dining Fails Exams

 

New York Times, April 20th, 2011
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/20/nyregion/college-cafeterias-get-bad-grades-from-new-york-city-health-department.html?scp=27&sq=Health&st=nyt

This article evaluates the results of health "grades" in campus cafeterias across the U.S. These "grades" measure the cleanliness and standards of the food services provided to the student body. The Student Deli at Fordham University was cited with live roaches and unsanitized food-preparation services to receive a "C" grade, initiating a meeting between administrators and students last week. Across the U.S., students are protesting low-standard cafeterias and raising attention to the expectations that dining halls must meet in preparing meals for students nationwide. Under this new system when campus kitchen grades are publicly posted, students can gain access to details of the evaluation, including mouse droppings and improperly refrigerated food. Now, students are demanding more more alternatives to dining, beyond school dining halls. Food safety has become a big concern on campuses, since the recent rise of food-borne illnesses. Thus, these inspections are calling to all campus dining programs to raise their quality standards.

As a student, this issue is very relatable. As a freshman student, I was condemned to diner food for the entire semester. Being a vegetarian student made eating even harder. These inspections are effective in producing quality dining hall facilities in terms of cleanliness and hygiene, but I believe the problem goes beyond this. It goes into the quality of the food and the availability of options. More than being palatable, dining services need to provide students with a variety of meal types that serve every type of student eater. Healthy choices besides an unfulfilling salad are rare, let alone a delicious meal. Food in diners have become greasy, fatty, salty, and sweet meals, representing the choices available in a fast food restaurant. Moreover, in a dining hall, students look for wholesome, healthy meals that satisfy their daily needs, not fast-food options that resemble the Five Guys and Taco Bell across the street. In addition to ensuring cleanliness, campus dining halls must provide healthy meals that are lean and satisfying. Nevertheless, this thought is quite hopeful and is unlikely to happen during my time in college.