Use your power: Vote for better food options with your Tiger cards

Recently on campus there has been a great deal of hubbub regarding the food in the Hub, and, let me tell you, I have got some beef with both parties in the argument. I personally am not blown away by the food in the Hub, but I also would like to take this chance to enlighten those who have been getting their trousers in a tumble because soy paste isn't on the menu.I'm a food guy. I am a growing man and I eat a lot of it. And I like my food, especially when it is delicious and in large quantities. I will therefore consider myself an authority on this matter.

Now, in my opinion, meals at the Hub are pretty good. I can go in for lunch, get a chicken sandwich, a salad, and a drink for about $6.00. However, the reason I am Ok with this lunch is because I am not a picky eater and do not have any qualifications for my meals, apart from being large. I would agree with those who argue there is limited variety in the Hub, and a lot of times it can be very hard to eat a healthy meal.

On Monday I can buy the grilled chicken sandwich. On Tuesday I can buy a sub. On Wednesday I can get a wrap. But then I begin to run out of healthy possibilities for a complete lunch.

My high school had to deal with a similar problem; our food service just plain sucked. Over the years, the students tried a couple of ways to persuade both the school and the food service to improve the lunches.

First, we asked nicely. This doesn't work. Second, we asked over and over again until students were no longer allowed in the food service board meetings. Okay, new tactic. Third, we got a bunch of friends together with pitchforks and torches on a stormy night a la Frankenstein to charge the lunch ladies' houses. Surprisingly, none of these worked.

I would like those who are now considering the third step to put down the spade for one moment and consider that we hold something more powerful: money in our pockets.

While Sodexo, DePauw's food service, may control the food that is served, students have control of what they buy. Sodexo is a company like any other. Why would they provide soy paste, no matter how tantalizing it may be, if there is no demand for it? If fried chicken, fries and pizza are flying off the hot-plate, there is no reason for Sodexo to provide alternatives.

I am not bashing Sodexo; they do a good job feeding us. (Please note that I am being very careful that I do not become enemies with those who prepare my food.) I am merely suggesting that if people want our food choices changed, there should be a more structured effort throughout the school or with our purchasing power as the vast majority of the Hub's customers.

Like every functioning business, Sodexo will respond to profitability, not to a murmur around campus that the food could be better or could include more vegan options. Purchase preferences and organization of product demand will bring new options. (New club idea up for grabs: "Voice for Vegans!")

If Sodexo sees that the healthy options are popular and profitable, I can promise we will see a shift in food options. Remember when you buy fries instead of sushi or an Odwalla drink, you are telling Sodexo the fries are what you want, not something more healthy.



- Hall is a freshman from Chicago with an undecided major.

opinion@thedepauw.com