Student refectory discussion
College at present - there is some interesting preliminary talk going on about re-opening the cafeteria. It closed last year as the people who were running it wanted to leave and no one else to take it on. It had been run as a catering business with a side business of selling food to students, as it was not deemed viable to run solely as a business within the college.
However since then all there has been is some food machines that sell dodgy questionable expensive food and make the place feel empty and sterile. For a while there was free tea and coffee (proper coffee) but then they got a machine for that too (it's appalling).
Last week there was a conversation between a few of us about the quality of the food, the decline of the refectory as a social facility as a result of the changes, and the general dissatisfaction with what is currently on offer.
Coming out of that, a couple of the students have bounced the idea round of opening some kind of student-run refectory service. They are meeting this Friday to discuss it further.
I have just composed and sent off an email making some points I wish to be considered should such a service start. I have no idea at all how extensive or limited the service might be - or what resources they have or what the college is willing to invest in it. I have offered my services and skills in market research, interviewing and statistics (part of my previous training plus working in market research)... but also made some of my own suggestions about my personal priorities and perceptions about a student food service.
I'm wondering if anyone wishes to comment on what might work or be valuable to consider, given that this is a small college with both part time and full time, young and mature students, there are places to buy food in the surrounding suburb but it's a bit trendy and expensive, and there is lots of bad feedback about the food machines. I am interested particularly to hear of/from anyone who's been involved with a student-run food service or co-op, either as a worker or consumer. But also what you would like if you were a student at this college...
However since then all there has been is some food machines that sell dodgy questionable expensive food and make the place feel empty and sterile. For a while there was free tea and coffee (proper coffee) but then they got a machine for that too (it's appalling).
Last week there was a conversation between a few of us about the quality of the food, the decline of the refectory as a social facility as a result of the changes, and the general dissatisfaction with what is currently on offer.
Coming out of that, a couple of the students have bounced the idea round of opening some kind of student-run refectory service. They are meeting this Friday to discuss it further.
I have just composed and sent off an email making some points I wish to be considered should such a service start. I have no idea at all how extensive or limited the service might be - or what resources they have or what the college is willing to invest in it. I have offered my services and skills in market research, interviewing and statistics (part of my previous training plus working in market research)... but also made some of my own suggestions about my personal priorities and perceptions about a student food service.
I'm wondering if anyone wishes to comment on what might work or be valuable to consider, given that this is a small college with both part time and full time, young and mature students, there are places to buy food in the surrounding suburb but it's a bit trendy and expensive, and there is lots of bad feedback about the food machines. I am interested particularly to hear of/from anyone who's been involved with a student-run food service or co-op, either as a worker or consumer. But also what you would like if you were a student at this college...