In regard to the recent article on the Residence Hall Association town hall discussion on the new “anytime dining” meal plan that will be implemented next year: While change is scary and is something that people usually anticipate with hesitation and contempt, I think the new dining plan will be a change for the better. Anytime dining will eliminate the need for and use of 6.3 million disposable products, provide more vegan and vegetarian options, save water with the switch to trayless dining and significantly reduce food waste with smaller portion sizes and a self-serve layout. This is not to mention the social and economic perks of having unlimited swipes and eating with friends.
People are apprehensive about the idea of eliminating carryout. I myself definitely covet the carryout option, like most others on this campus, but I think it’s important to point out that many colleges and universities have never offered the option of takeout, and as it is the norm, there is no issue or complaint. More importantly, let’s think about all the waste from carryout containers and utensils that will be saved. The University of Missouri, a school of comparable size, saved 100,000 gallons of water and reduced food waste by 26 percent after switching to a similar dining plan.
Another concern that seems to be popping up is that the dining halls will no longer be a social space or place to hang out and study. To me, this seems to be the opposite of what is actually the case. Making time in our schedules to sit down and eat in will promote more social interaction. Sharing a meal with friends or even strangers helps break the little bubbles of isolation we find ourselves in as we rush about our days. On top of this, because we will have unlimited swipes, you can swipe in, grab an apple and sit and study without wasting points. Not being able to run out of dining points seems like a win to me.
While a new dining plan will certainly take some adjustment on everyone’s part, I think it is moving our campus in the right direction. We will have more food options and be able to pick and choose what we want and what we don’t. It is more sustainable, eliminating both food waste and carryout waste, and the dining halls will become more of a social spot to meet friends and hang out. Change is scary, but this change makes sense to me.
Kate Harrison is a sophomore environmental science and policy major. She can be reached at katejamie42@gmail.com.
