New year, new food options

By: Dustin Looney
Features Editor

It is no secret that many things have noticeably changed around campus–the steps going up to Wallace and Winbigler’s renovations, for example. Another part of Monmouth College has changed: the food programs around campus.

Nearly every place to get food at Monmouth has had some sort of transformation since last year, the most dramatic of which is the snack bar in Huff Athletic Center.

What used to be a typical concession stand with drinks, candy and chips last year is now a Fresh Market Smoothies stand.

Fresh Market Smoothies offers a variety of freshly made smoothies which can be purchased with flex dollars. Customers also have the option of getting protein or other vitamin powders put in their smoothies.

The smoothie stand also has extended hours from last year; it is open from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and 11:30 to 4:30 on Friday.

Food Service Director Bruce Cvancara is optimistic about Fresh Market Smoothies.

“I think the smoothie program is a really good program,” Cvancara said.

Another change is in Scotland Yard, where the Old El Paso has been replaced with a salad restaurant. The restaurant will switch every four weeks, according to Cvancara, and Old El Paso will be the next restaurant. The stand will switch again four weeks later.

Hours have also changed in Scotland Yard. Unlike last year, they do not close down between lunch and dinner, providing a better chance for students to eat lunch regardless of their schedules.

“The extended hours in Scotland Yard will make it more convenient for students and help out quite a bit,” Cvancara said.

There’s also good news for Ben & Jerry’s fans: Monmouth College has extended its contract with Ben & Jerry’s for five additional years.

  Students who have eaten at the Underground for dinner have noticed a change there, too. In the past, the Underground offered sandwiches for lunch and pasta for dinner. This year, sandwiches are the only option for lunch and dinner.

Cvancara said the Underground served around 240 lunches and only 30-60 dinners per-day last year, so they determined that the sandwiches were more popular. The Underground will switch back to pasta in the winter, though.

Although the cafeteria seems like the same old food as it was last year, it too made some changes.

Monmouth College has hired a new pastry chef from Florida. Along with the new chef came an assortment of bakery machines which will enhance the quality of the cafeteria’s desserts.