How many times a week do you actually go to Baldwin? Do you utilize the unlimited entry swipes per week that the standard meal plan accounts for?
According to David Lauffer, dining services manager for Bon Appetit, the average Albion student goes to Baldwin about 11 times per week. Next year, the college will be offering more meal plan options that allow students to pay for only the amount of meals they want. These plans will also offer to-go options at other campus food distributors such as Read Between the Grinds and the Eat Shop.
“Moving forward, the college is looking to evolve meal plans in a way that ultimately gives students the ability to choose a plan that fits their unique schedules,” Lauffer said. “In the fall, students will still have the same meal plan options that were offered this year in the addition to the new block plan option, where students can pick to pay for either 15, 18 or 21 meals a week.
“Students who choose block plans will not only have access to Baldwin as they do now, but they will also be able to substitute their Baldwin meal for carry-out options at the Eat Shop and Read Between the Grinds,” Lauffer said. “The only difference is that students on block plans will be limited to the number of blocks per week included in the meal plan package they have chosen.”
Also new next year will the addition of what Bon Appetit calls a “Dub Box,” which is a food truck that will be serving a variety of grab-and-go meals such as hamburgers, tacos, sushi and barbeque pork. Students with block plans can use their meal pass here. Tim DeWitt, Albion College business manager, is excited about this new change.
“Having a food van, although seasonal, will be an excellent alternative for an assortment of different offerings,” DeWitt said.
Lauffer has worked with DeWitt and student senate members Dana Anderson, Ann Arbor sophomore, and Austin Moccia, Grosse Ile junior, in order to get the new meal plan adjustments and other details in place, while also getting some student perspective.
“I devised a change of timing, extending breakfast from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. every day on the premise that doing so would allow more students time for meals,” Moccia said. “I worked with Dave to implement this plan logistically, and it seems to have been a success.”
Though plans are currently still underway, more information about meal plans and specifics on choosing a plan for next year and pricing will be available at the end of the month.
Photo by: Alex Carey
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