Waste not, want not
Issue date: 4/17/08 Section: Opinion
Sodexho has been posting signs about not taking food out of the Marketplace for over a month. Just recently they introduced their newest one, asking that students limit the contents of their plates only to what they like and will eat.
Although these measures have been met with disdain by many students, the impact of stolen dishware, wasted food and excessive removal of food from the Marketplace is staggering.
Sodexho Resident District Manager Linda Geren said that in most cases, their efforts to address the problems have backfired. The signs asking that diners only take what they will eat to reduce waste were part of an Earth Day initiative, she said.
"We're reminding people that [food waste is] also contributing to environmental problems. It's bizarre, but the process of putting up the posters has had a reverse effect," Geren said.
Even more food is being wasted than before.
Most students indignantly point out that they've paid for a meal plan, and therefore have a right to eat, waste or take as much as they like from the Marketplace. After all, the buffet style lends itself well to even the heartiest of appetites.
However, just because you've paid a nine dollars to get into a buffet restaurant doesn't mean you're not going to piss off the rest of the patrons or the management by heaping tons of food onto your plate, throwing most of it away and then fleeing the scene with even more edibles stashed in plastic containers.
Same goes for the Marketplace.
"It is an all-you-can-eat cafeteria, but it's unreasonable to expect that everyone can come in with to-go containers and walk out with lots of food," Geren said.
The open and relaxed environment works best when we don't take advantage of it. Some would be surprised to learn that Rowan - and by that, I mean students - purchase and technically own the dishware used in the Marketplace.
Yes, folks, you're stealing from yourselves and complaining mightily when meal plan prices raise because of it.
It's as much your right to waste food and steal dishes as it is to pay the consequences. Pardon the playground taunt, but quit hittin' yourself.
Although these measures have been met with disdain by many students, the impact of stolen dishware, wasted food and excessive removal of food from the Marketplace is staggering.
Sodexho Resident District Manager Linda Geren said that in most cases, their efforts to address the problems have backfired. The signs asking that diners only take what they will eat to reduce waste were part of an Earth Day initiative, she said.
"We're reminding people that [food waste is] also contributing to environmental problems. It's bizarre, but the process of putting up the posters has had a reverse effect," Geren said.
Even more food is being wasted than before.
Most students indignantly point out that they've paid for a meal plan, and therefore have a right to eat, waste or take as much as they like from the Marketplace. After all, the buffet style lends itself well to even the heartiest of appetites.
However, just because you've paid a nine dollars to get into a buffet restaurant doesn't mean you're not going to piss off the rest of the patrons or the management by heaping tons of food onto your plate, throwing most of it away and then fleeing the scene with even more edibles stashed in plastic containers.
Same goes for the Marketplace.
"It is an all-you-can-eat cafeteria, but it's unreasonable to expect that everyone can come in with to-go containers and walk out with lots of food," Geren said.
The open and relaxed environment works best when we don't take advantage of it. Some would be surprised to learn that Rowan - and by that, I mean students - purchase and technically own the dishware used in the Marketplace.
Yes, folks, you're stealing from yourselves and complaining mightily when meal plan prices raise because of it.
It's as much your right to waste food and steal dishes as it is to pay the consequences. Pardon the playground taunt, but quit hittin' yourself.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Steve
posted 4/19/08 @ 9:29 PM EST
If the food wasn't so terrible I wouldn't have to collect a mountain of food and throw away 3/4 of it.
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