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The following interview was conducted as a follow up to a letter to the Editor which appeared in January 15 edition of the Cadre concerning the food in the U.P.E.I. Cafeteria

I talked with Mr. Peter Haldemann ,who runs the catering service at the U.P.E.I. Cafeteria. '

'CADRE: Beaver, in brief, what was your re— action to the article printed in the Cadre concerning the cafeterla fOOd?

BEAVER:F irst of all, I think that this stu— dent should have complained to the food committee or come to see me first. Then, if he did not get any satisfaction or explaination, he should have written’ to the Cadre.

CADRE: Is there any truth what-so—ever to what he or she says concerning dehydrated potatoes, canned vegetables etc.?

BEAVER:No, certainly not! we have no such a thing as dehydrated potatoes and all our vegetables are freshly frozen when bought. Not canned.

CADRE: What about your meats?

BEAVERzThe meats are like the vegetables: freshly frozen when bought. We can't take the chance of food-poisoning here——or anywhere for that matter. If we cook a roast, say on Tuesday, it lasts no longer than Thursday. we don't give it a chance to go bad. I'm re- peating myself, I know, but the stu-

dent Who wishes to complain about the

food here will get better and faster results if he sees his "food Comm— ittee" representative on his flOOr.

We are trying as best we can to see

that the student gets what he wants.

But you can only do the best you can:

that's all.

CADRE: Do you perhaps feel that the equip- ment. which is owned by the University has any effect on the preparation of the meals here?

BEAVER:No, not really. It could be better I suppose, but it does the job well en— ough. You see, the university will be building a new cafeteria in the near future, so what's the use of spending thousands of dollars on new equipment now?

CADRE: How do you think your food compares with the foods in universities in other cities, especially Halifax?

BEAVER:I believe, from what I hear, that the food has a good standing. Another point which I would like to point out is that we receive $1.97 per student per day to cover the cost of food, labour etc. 7c of this $1.97 goes to the company. If at the end of the year we are over our flat rate paid~by the University then this money goes to the college.If we are under it then the money must come from our own pocketslTherefore we must

be careful.

CADRE: Do you feel that you and your staff have adequate working facilities here?

BEAVER:Its not bad youknow7fair1Its good.The University does what it can for us. They co-operate well with us and

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we get along well.

CADRE: Do you think that this persons opinion is the opinion of many students or just a few?

BEAVER:I think he is just speaking for himself. we have suggestions boxes around and

every two weeks or so we get a good response from concerned students who want changes in the Cafeteria.We try to comply with the wishes of the student within reason of courselwe do what we can.There are many members of our staff who get along well with the students and they often recieve complaints and suggestions from people.This is the way it should be.

CADRE: Are the types of meals selected,decided upon for any particular reason? 5

BEAVER:Well,we always have fish on Fridays.For tradition more than anything else.We also have Italian days on W'edensdayo

CADRE: jhen you try to have as many different kinds of meals in a week as there different kinds of nationalities?

~ BEAVER:Yes,thi is correct.

CADRE: Does the University buy the foods which are prepared or does the company7and how are these foods rated with respect to quality?

BEAVERzThe company buys the food.we get get all our meats fresh from Canada Packers and Judson Packers‘at wholesale prices. All the food is of a very good quality. The vegetables are bought freshly fro— zen from General Foods. CADRE: Undoubtly you felt unjustly accused 'when the article in question was publi— shed.Wbuld you rather talk to people personally who are dissatisfied with the meals before they write to the CADRE?

‘BEAVER:Well this is it,eh? If people come and

talk with me and dont get any satisf- actory results then,they are justifi-

ed in writing to the paperIIf they

dont want to talk to me personally

then they should get in contact with the president of their Food Committee.

y CADRE: What about the breakfasts here? I

understand that they are not to elabor— ate,to say the least.

BEAVEszell at the first of the year,the stud— ents voted against having Bacon and Eggs for breakfast because it would mean a $20.00 increase in tuition per

student per year! Also since only about 100 people ever attend breakfast in the

morning- — well it just wouldn't be fair.

.CADRE: Is there any closing comment which you would like to make concerning the Cafe- teria?

BEAVEszell,at our Christmas dinner we put table—cloths,candle holders and lighted candles on the table for a more sentim— ental atmosphere,you know?But after the meal there were only two or three candle