by Jessica Beebe

Food services satisfactory,

It is hard to study on an empty stomach.

Whether living in residence or off campus, UPEI students use campus food services. Although

there are few complaints, some feel there is room for improvement.

Residence students seem to be relatively happy with the food service provided at the Wanda Wyatt dining hall.

Kelly Richardson, a first year music student and Bernadine resident, feels that the food service is worth it. “It’s a bit expensive but compared to my cooking, it’s worth it,” said Richardson. “I depend on the cafeteria because it is convenient for me [as] opposed to going to a restaurant. Most of the staff are very friendly and the cafe- teria is kept pretty neat for the amount of people who come in and out of there.”

But she feels that the quali- ty of food has declined. “At the beginning of the year, the food was really good but then it sort of went down hill a bit,” Richardson said. “I wouldn’t add any new food places though. It would just be another place to spend more money”

Marion Foster, a first year arts student, thinks that Cara Foods is a good organization, as well.

“It’s better than a lot of other cafeteria organizations,” said Foster. Some things are a little

expensive but the staff are friendly and helpful as well. It seems to be very clean and well kept.” says Foster. She adds, “It would be nice if they added a Smoothy Bar that served frosted drinks though.” Students who live in residence) can choose from several different Cara Foods meal plans, explained Terry Lawrence, Food Service Director. These include a 10, 14 or 19 meal plan which requires students to eat

that amount of meals in a week at

the dining hall. Meals missed are reimbursed with rebate tickets. “Once the week is up, the plan is done, giving students very little flexibility,’ | explained

‘Lawrence.

50, 60 and 80 meal plans for the Wanda Wyatt are available to students living off-campus. These meal plans are not time sen- sitive and do not have to be used on a week to week basis.

“This option is more popu- lar because it is more flexible and allows a number of students to use one card,” said Lawrence. Without the meal plan an all you can eat lunch at the Wanda Wyatt costs $6.50, and an all you can eat dinner

$7.50.

“Overall, the students seem very satisfied with the food service provided here,” Lawrence said. “We are also very open to sugges-

tions on how to improve our serv-~-

ices:

Cara foods has operated at UPEI since 1997, explained Marc Braithwaite, Manager of Residence, Food and Conference Service. The company owns the rights and license of such compa- nies as Harvey’s, Swiss Chalet,

Tim Horton’s, Second Cup, Pizza Pizza, and Captain Submarine.

All food service and cater- ing equipment, and snack venders on campus are owned by the uni- versity, but are managed by Cara Foods. “In their contract, Cara is the managing company who is responsible for hiring staff, prepar- ing and serving food and stocking the vending machines,” added Braithwaite.

There is discussion about what type of food service will be available in the new Student Building. “We want to provide a food service that is unique and dif- ferent form the AVC and the other dining halls on campus,” says Braithwaite, adding that students are now eating healthier than the usual burger and fries. “This is good because eating healthy food

make you feel better, perks you up and helps you to perform better in class.”

“We also have to keep in mind that the University has to pro- vide all the equipment for the Student Centre,” Braithwaite said, “so it is important to have a proper mix of service that the students will support and buy. Right now, we are lacking a consistent hot food option so that is also being consid- cred, -

Students have made sever- al requests for particular food serv- ices on campus. Tim Horton’s is the most popular thus far. But this may create a problem.

“Cara Foods have to secure a contract and the licensing rights to do this and it is under negotia- tion right now,” explained

Braithwaite. “The only problem is

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