The Whitworthian

Issue date: 10/9/07

The saga of Sodexho has been riddled with stories of complaints, but in the past six months Sodexho has opened up to student input in healthy ways.

Sodexho responded when ASWC gathered student input last Jan Term.

The food company took theoretical ideas and turned them into practical changes such as expanded vegetarian options, weekend food and the improvement of the general selection of food.

Sodexho should also be applauded for moving toward more sustainability.

Students may have mixed feelings toward the SpudWare. It's slightly awkward to use and the dollar surcharge inconveniences that the rushed students to-go containers used to benefit. It is symbolic, however, of Sodexho's agile response to student requests.

Many students asked for a cafeteria that was more environmentally-friendly and Sodexho listened. The import of organic fruits and the new vegetable bar promote a healthy lifestyle that can easily become evasive during college.

Another good addition has been the Asian cuisine available every Thursday, in the Cafe, which even includes vegetarian options. Making it available more than once a week it would be even better.

Fortunately, with a new A La Carte scheduled to open in Hawthorne Hall soon, access to vegetarian options is easier than ever.

Because Sodexho has committed itself to becoming more open, we ask that students be allowed to take food out of the main dining hall. While we recognize that the movement toward sustainability costs more, charging students to take food out of the already-crowded cafeteria is a step backwards.

In the past three years, Sodexho has gone from being viewed by many students as a villain to being viewed as - if not a hero - a good guy. There will always be grumblings about food, but that grumbling is quieter as students realize that, frankly, it's hard to complain with their mouths full.

Now if Sodexho would just make chocolate ice cream available more often...

Editorials in the "In the Loop" section reflect the majority opinion of the Editorial Board, which is made up of five editors.

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