On January 19, 2023, the Student Movement began its newest series asking for the campus community’s reaction to the agreement regarding Bon Appétit and its “exclusive right to provide and manage the food service program for the campus of Andrews University.” This agreement can affect our campus culturally.
Andrews University is blessed with a plethora of cultures that prefer different tastes depending on their childhood, culture, or background. While some may prefer food they are accustomed to, others find college an opportunity to experiment with tastes. For those of different cultural backgrounds, they may start craving a meal that reminds them of home. A taste of their childhood from the cafeteria may be just the thing to cheer them up after an exhausting day of classes. For others, a different and delicious meal is the change of pace needed for excitement in life.
Due to the agreement between Andrews University and Bon Appetit, the cultural clubs on campus are now unable to sell goods that were made by an individual without a vendor’s license. It is logical to enforce the agreement for safety measures, especially in a post-pandemic era. On the other hand, this limits events on the foods served due to the reliance on catering if a restaurant is not available for their culture. Additionally, for those struggling financially, the agreement limits those wanting to fundraise by selling food.
In the past, many cultural clubs on campus have served their traditional food to satisfy their own cravings as well as to introduce other students to their culture. Most clubs are catered by the “aunties and uncles” in the community. This past semester, the Korean-American Student Association (KASA) and the Southern Asia Student Association (SASA) have sold meals and treats that had students scrambling to purchase some delicious food. During National Hispanic Heritage Month, Andrews University Latino Association (AULA) sold food and drinks made by the community and by the AU staff themselves. In the past years, Andrews Filipino International Association (AFIA) and Andrews Indonesian Club (AIC) also sold and provided authentic food after their annual showcases. In the first semester, KASA, SASA, and AULA were able to serve and introduce dishes to the community.
This leads to this article's topic question: “Do you enjoy the food at cultural clubs when it is made by people in the community?”
Anonymous (sophomore): “The contract with Bon Appetit [in regards to selling food] is disheartening since the contract restricts them from being able to share authentic food from their culture. When they prohibit us from sharing our food, it also feels like they’re restricting us from expressing and sharing our cultural traditions and values and tastes. I miss my uncle and auntie’s food from last year.”
Nahzoni Haycock (sophomore, biophysics): “I love it when clubs are given the opportunity to make their cultural food. I get a chance to taste foods I haven’t eaten before and see if I enjoy it.”
Ceiry Nicoll (sophomore, speech-language pathology & audiology): “I honestly enjoy trying different types of food from different cultures. It broadens my perspective of what food can be and how versatile it is. Plus it helps me learn more about the cultures on campus.”
Caitlin Adap (freshmen, education): “Yes, it’s so fun getting to try tasty new foods and learning more about the different cultures represented by our student body. Alongside the food tasting good, when people in the community make it, there’s an element of authenticity. And it’s always nice to have home cooked food, something we as college students often miss about home.”
The few students that were interviewed do not speak for the whole campus. So I want to ask you, the reader, the same question, “Do you enjoy the food at cultural clubs when it is made by people in the community?” Will you notice the change in food not being sold by the clubs on campus? Will you miss the option of trying a plethora of tastes outside of what we receive in the cafeteria?
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.