Iowa State University Dining (ISU Dining) offers a diverse selection of meals across campus, ranging from chicken dishes to pizzas and baked treats. However, there are notable gaps in the food choices available, especially for students with dietary restrictions.
Haley Roach, a senior studying microbiology, expressed her concerns regarding the limited vegetarian options available on campus.
“I live over at Freddy Court, and over the years, they’ve reduced the vegetarian selections there,” Roach stated. “There used to be decent veggie burgers, but now they’ve replaced them with a vegan chicken option that’s quite unappealing. Also, they previously offered two types of veggie breakfast burritos, and now there are none—only meat burritos available.”
Roach indicated that she would appreciate an increase in vegetarian alternatives, particularly options that provide adequate protein.
“Windows has a dedicated vegetarian section featuring some protein options. However, as a vegetarian, you can’t rely solely on the salad bar for all your needs,” Roach noted.
Other students have also voiced a desire for a broader range of cultural food options at Iowa State.
Phil Odhiambo, a freshman majoring in software engineering, believes that offering a wider array of meal options can assist international students in adapting to cafeteria food.
“I think incorporating cuisines from regions like Africa and the Middle East would be beneficial,” Odhiambo remarked. “Having more variety and dishes from different countries could help some students feel more at home with the food here.”
Odhiambo also suggested including popular beverages from around the world in ISU Dining’s offerings.
“I think it would be great to have drinks like mango lassi from various countries as well,” Odhiambo added.
Anthony Garcia, a junior studying management information systems, echoed the sentiment that African cuisine would enhance the diversity of dining options on campus.
“I would love to see more African dishes, particularly Ghanaian or Nigerian food,” Garcia said. “There aren’t many choices for those cuisines in Ames overall. Coming from Des Moines, I’ve noticed that there are more options there. They offer unique flavors that aren’t easily accessible here.”
In conclusion, while ISU Dining provides a variety of options, there is an evident need for increased vegetarian selections and greater cultural diversity in the food choices available to students. Addressing these gaps could enhance the dining experience and create a more inclusive environment for everyone on campus.
