The Clarion April 16, 1990 Page 9
ARA cafeteria survey provides food for thought
by Harper Haworth
Clarion Reporter
During early March of second
semester, every BC student had a chance
to fill out an ARA food survey. The
results came back to the ARA services
manager, Jerry Jackson ,and to his
assistant manager, Jill Broyles. The
results were scrutinized in great detail so
that a better selection of food can be
enhanced, and favorite original foods can
be brought out more often.
Jackson states, "The most useful
information comes from the comment
section." Jackson also wants to get
across that he and his assistants would
like to hear suggestions that any one
student might have. That is, with
anything that deals around the cafeteria.
In other words, if the managers don't
hear what's wrong with the food, how
can they help?
Some of the complaints were voiced
more than others on the ARA survey
list, and a few of them are to be worked
on as they are being dealt with right
now. Listed below are a few areas in
which students felt improvement is
imperative.
For starters, the temperature of hot
food items is unacceptable. ARA's
reply was that the temperatures are
checked prior to service to ensure that
food temperatures are correct.
Second, the vegetables are
overcooked. ARA's response was that
the vegetables are quickly cooked in
boiling water or with steam until they
are tender and done.
The one complaint voiced by all of
those "hearty" eaters was that food
portions are too small. Jackson
responds with: "Everyone can eat all
they want," but due to the amount of
wasted food, ARA is unable lo increase
the portion sizes. Jackson adds,
"Increased portions would increase
waste, which would lead to an increase
in cost."
Jackson went into great detail
addressing the concern about MSG,
(monosodium glutimate). "We make
every effort to purchase foods that do
not contain MSG." Jackson states that
most of the popular processed foods
contain some MSG. Examples of these
foods are: com dogs, chuckwagon
steak, and chicken filet. Persons who
are allergic to MSG generally experience
a feeling of tighmess in the temples
and neck, in addition to flushing and
other discomforts, such as migraine
headaches, and pain and malfunction of
the urinary tract. Unfortunately,
persons allergic to MSG are usually
ignorant of the foods to stay away from.
However, Jackson says, "If there is any
question about the ingredients in food
items served, one should ask any of the
workers, and the employee will find
out."
The last complaint voiced by the
students on the survey was the lack of a
"fast food" section during lunch and
dinner. Jackson responds, "For two
weeks we added prepared items to the
deli line." some examples of this were
grilled cheese sandwiches, hot dogs,
turkey sandwiches, etc. Jackson also
states that the general population
seemed upset about the reduction of
choices in the deli section.
Jackson has talked with many
students about some of their favorite
food items. Titles for the worst food
items go to: "shepherd's pie," beef
noodle casserole, and veal. As a result
of the complaints, these, plus other
items will be dropped from the menu.
Jackson and Broyles spend close to
90% of their time standing in the dining
area, and they highly welcome all
suggestions that the students may put
forth.
Glancing over the final results of
the ARA survey, breakfast takes the
title of favorite meal of the day, lunch
falls in second, and dinner takes dead
last. Should dinner come in third place?
Jackson says he would like to get rid of
dorm dinners, and that he would like to
see money invested in more special food
items. Some examples of this are an
ice cream bar, a "Mexican night'" and
more premium quality dinners.
Why is dinner served so early?
According to Broyles, ARA cannot
delay the evening meal and accomplish
the clean-up work that is required of
them on time. But she wanted lo point
out the fact that the new BC student
union will have an operating snack bar
that will serve beyond the cafeteria
hours.
Next year will see a new program
titled, "Just Like Mom's." In other
words, bring in your mom's favorite
recipe, and if it fits in the ARA budget,
then a new dish will be served,
hopefully on a random basis whenever
possible.
Finally, although everything served
in the BC cafeteria will not taste like
home cooking, dining here is far cheaper
than eating out. Hopefully, the time
that some BC students took in filling
out the ARA survey will pay off for the
remainder of this year and next. Sure,
filet mignon could be served every
night, but students would gel tired of it.
And as a result, the cost of the BC meal
plan would go sky high.
Anita Lyn Cocks
to ffive Sophomore
Recital April 18
by Leslie Atwater
Clarion Reporter
Anita Lyn Cocks, a sophomore at
Brevard College, will present her
sophomore honors recital on
Wednesday, April 18 at 8:15 pm in
Dunham Auditorium. Miss Cocks has
studied bassoon for five years and plans
to continue her study at Flordia State
University upon graduation from
Brevard College. Accompaning Miss
Cocks will be other members of the
woodwind trios in which she
participates. The public is cordially
invited.
Puttin' on the ritz: BC students enjoy the musk ^
Spring Formal '90 at Deer Park, March 31. (BC photos by
Lauterer)