Yesterday, as part of an RHA meeting we went to a new program on campus called “Let’s Talk About Stockton.” As with most programs, there was free food, and it was very yummy. The pita chips and hummus were my favorite. However, the campus food services (Chartwells) is the only thing I really wanted to talk about. After working at Lakeside at the beginning of the year I became disgusted and infuriated with this company. I worked in a cramped little Mondos stand area, with food dating back to my grandparent’s birth. At times, the tomatoes were so soggy I could not even pick them up with my hands. The tiny quarters always seemed to be home to at least 4 flies that not only enjoyed landing on the food, but biting at my arms and ankles as well. Stockton can do better. We can do better.

With a few friends I ventured over to the table hosting representatives from Chartwells. I sigh of relief came over me when I realized that none of them were my previous employers. There was a new guy. He had only been here a couple of weeks, and was previously employed at Cornell University. He had some great ideas to improve the food on campus, and was eager to hear all of our concerns. But who isn’t at these sorts of things? I told him about what I experienced at Lakeside, what my friend with a gluten allergy experiences every day, and what bothers the student body as a whole about the campus food. I made it clear that if things do not change next year when I am no longer required to I will not be purchasing a meal plan, and that I feel many other students will be doing the same.

The man listened patiently to all of our concerns and addressed each one of them individually. He said he would personally look into what is going on at Lakeside and make sure things are taken care of and the food is rotated properly. He said that he is currently working on a project called “My Place” for people with gluten free diets. Everything that is gluten free will be put out on a completely separate table and all gluten free utensils will be marked with green handles so that there will be no reason to ever worry about what is available, what is marked, or what has been cross contaminated with gluten products. He said we should see it within the next few weeks. He also said quite directly that there is nothing he can do about Dunkin Donuts not accepting gift cards or any game promotions won on cups. In order to change that I would have to speak to another man who lives somewhere in the area. Lastly he said that the food court’s twenty cent charge for water is the charge for the expense of a cup. I’ve worked in a restaurant before, those cups do not cost anywhere near twenty cents each. But if that’s there policy there is almost nothing that can be done about it. However, if you feel it is wrong to be charged for water like I do, you can bring a water bottle or your own reusable cup and fill it up at the food court and you will not be charged. If somebody tries to charge you for it, ask to speak to a manager.

The conversation seemed to go on for a long time. We spoke of maybe starting a fresh Mexican food place on campus, something similar to a Chipotle. He also said he wanted to see more Asian cuisine mixed into the menu. I do not know how productive this meeting really was, and I don’t know if any changes are actually going to be made, but at least now the company has been made aware of the concerns of many students here on campus. I hope to see improvements in the future.