At the beginning of the fall semester, there were rumors that Blackburn College’s dining hall (Ding) would be observing “Meatless Mondays.” This would mean that every Monday, for all three meals, Ding would only offer vegetarian options. Student opinions on this were polarized. However, Ding continued to serve meat during Monday meals like normal. So, what happened here? Were “Meatless Mondays” ever a thing?
Dining and Hospitality Department Manager Layna Broux said in an email, “Yes, (it was real) and it was great! Until the president of the college complained about it.” Blackburn College President Dr. John Comerford explained his decision. “I was in there for dinner on Monday night, this was a couple weeks back. I stood there as I was surveying the food options with my kids. And I witnessed a quick succession of six or eight students walk up, look at what Ding was serving and groan in disgust and walk away.” He laughed, “I finally asked about it, and I heard one student say, (in a voice conveying extreme disappointment) ‘Ugh, I forgot, it’s meatless Monday,’ in that sort of tone.”
Comerford went to talk to Sodexo General Manager Joe Piechowski who oversees Dining and Hospitality. “I went to Joe, and I said, ‘Hey, I heard a lot of complaints about this Meatless Mondays thing.’ I had never heard of it before this. Joe explained that it was a student request, but I told him that I had heard a lot of complaints from students,” Comerford explained. “I understand and fully support a vegetarian/vegan option, but not as the only option, and that was my advice to Joe.”
Comerford had beef with “Meatless Mondays,” and used a presidential veto (if you will) on it. But, as Pichowski explained, “Meatless Mondays” are kind of still around. “I would say at the minimum at least one line (will be vegetarian). But again yesterday both lines were vegetarian…” Pichowski explained that “Meatless Mondays” weren’t completely nixed, but were altered to be please everyone. “…There were a lot of students who were complaining about Meatless Mondays, so we had to change things up a bit. I just went back and looked at the menus for the last four Mondays and we certainly have had meatless options available at lunch and dinner for those days. For example, today at lunch both entrée and expo (the food display as you walk in) were both meatless,” said Pichowski. He also pointed out that Ding always has tofu available as well as veggie crumbles for students who might not be able to find a completely vegetarian meal for themselves, as well as the vegan and salad bar.
2 comments
Instead of doing away with it, I’m sure there’s always meat in the back if Dr. Comerford or another student would like to request it on Mondays. I wouldn’t imagine anyone in Ding would be annoyed by making those special orders. Another solution would be to offer a bar filled daily with varieties of cold Spam. That would make sure meat eating students and faculty always have an option. Spam comes in many flavors, so there should be plenty of variety to please everyone.
Asking for one day. ONE. One day out of a whole week to consider the effects of global warming and the animals is not a lot to ask for. It would benefit the students in regards to their health and it would be a great teaching opportunity to understand why Meatless Mondays exist in the first place. The fact that a group of students and staff brought on this change shows great determination, and then having Mr. Comerford hinder it’s progress just because some students groaned a little, is preposterous and shows massive ignorance. The regular food already has people groaning out of both ends! It’s nice to know Blackburn is not open for any change, and won’t take any efforts to respect others eating choices other than their own. Just because someone is vegan/vegetarian doesn’t mean they should resort to eating salads and hummus every day for 4 years (but still forced to pay the hefty price tag). I hope future students with dietary preferences realize they won’t be respected at this college and should steer away towards a more mindful institution.