Imagine walking into your school cafeteria and finding it stocked with soy chicken, edamame, and other delicious vegetarian foods! Thanks to Dave Chase and the rest of the staff at Bryn Mawr Dining Services, students at Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania enjoy such dining services every day of the school year. To find out more about how the College became so veg. friendly, I spoke with Dave Chase, Associate Director of Dining Services.
Laurel: Could you describe the vegetarian foods at Bryn Mawr?
Dave: At each one of our halls we offer at least one vegetarian option, and at our vegan hall we always have vegan options. There are also vegan options as far as deli meats. We also do special stir fries with meat alternatives at that hall.
We've heard what the vegans and vegetarians have been asking for. I think we've made more of a conscious effort to enhance our menu with some of the less traditional things that the vegans and vegetarians are looking for. We try to spice it up a little bit and give them more of an opportunity to see a diverse menu.
Wow, that sounds impressive!
Yes, it's interesting because our vegan population is not very large; it's probably only 10% of our student base. However, they tend to be very vocal, which is good without their input it would be hard to meet their needs.
I think the one area we could stand to improve in our vegetarian/vegan offerings is that of our desserts and breakfast pastries. I've actually located a vegan bakery that supplies vegan desserts, and starting next school year we will be offering a vegan dessert with each meal. They have a wonderful cookie mix, as well as brownies, muffins, and cornbread. We've been trying it, and it's very tasty. Quite honestly, you really can't tell that it's vegan!
We also have been making more of a conscious effort in our retail operation to offer more vegan items as well. We just brought in a vegan cookie, which has been very popular. Later on this week we will be offering an organic, vegan line of prepared meals. We have small dorm style refrigerators with glass fronts in all of our dining halls that offer all sorts of rice milks and soymilks. In one of our dining halls we offer a bean and cooked rice dish at each meal.
Do you know how the improvements in the school's dining services came about?
It's probably been within the last five years that its really become a lot more prevalent, and its probably within the last three years that its really been a definite emphasis. I know in the time I've been here we've really put forth a big effort.
It's wonderful that the students have so many choices! Do you have any ideas how students at other schools could go about getting more vegetarian options?
I think the most important thing is to work with the dining services department. Try to be positive about things. Don't reinforce the fact that they don't have this or that. Help the dining service people get an idea of what you're looking for. Let them know what your needs are.
It's been a learning experience for me as well. I know that it's always been a focus here at Bryn Mawr, not only because people want to become vegetarian, but because they're also looking for healthy foods. Most of the time if it's reasonable and financially responsible, I'd think they'd be able to work with you.
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