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Occidental College’s food was recently ranked 14th in the country among colleges, according to thedailymeal.com. There is a lot to be praised when it comes to eating on campus, but Food Services should not stop at a great ranking and diversify selections.
There is nothing better late at night than a mac and cheese bite. Or curly fries. Well, nothing better tasting, at least. And for that, students are eternally grateful to the Tiger Cooler. With late night hours and delicious “drunchies,” the Cooler stands as a staple in most students’ Saturday nights. But the snacks provided are usually fried and unhealthy. Throughout the day, too, the food served at the Cooler is tasty, but lacking in healthy alternatives. Furthermore, vegan and gluten-free options are slim and less delicious than those available at the Marketplace, which makes late night snacking difficult for those with dietary restrictions.
The Coffee Cart is a great week-night contribution. Open until 1 a.m., the Coffee Cart provides excellent snacks for late-night cramming and paper writing. Auntie Em’s was good, but the recent addition of Susina Bakery is great – the Coffee Cart now serves melt-in-your-mouth pastries and perfect pastas. The Coffee Cart staff is always welcoming and friendly, which should never be overlooked by students.
Lastly, the Marketplace has made great strides this semester in the food provided. The aforementioned ranking is testament to that, as are the lines that extend for a 20 minute wait. The ‘freshly-made’ options are a particular favorite of students: the pasta, stir-fry, sandwich, salad and grill stations all serve freshly made, to-order food that is far superior to the offerings of most college campuses. And as Thanksgiving approaches, excitement is building for the Thanksgiving meal the Marketplace serves each November (please do not run out of Martinelli’s this year!).
But a high ranking should not stop Dining Services from trying new things and diversifying on a more regular basis. While it must be a challenge to provide food to 1500 entitled kids three times a day, it would be fun to have a larger-scale weekly surprise meal. It is not that Marketplace food or Cooler food is bad, as many students rudely complain, it can just get a bit monotonous to have the same food served on the same days.
Dining Services at Occidental has been doing a fantastic job and deserves a round of applause on their well-deserved award. However, adding healthier alternatives in the Cooler and diversifying the Marketplace menu would add a new flavor to the palate of Dining Services.
This editorial represents the collective opinion of the Occidental Weekly Editorial Board. Each week, the Editorial Board will publish its viewpoint on a matter relevant to the Occidental community.
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