This is concerning an older article from The Voice back in Oct 2014, regarding the cafeteria situation. (Editor: you can read that story here.) As a returning student at Moorpark College this year, I find it appalling that the Ventura College District has made such a poor decision in the efforts of nutrition for our college students. So far I understand there has been budget cuts and a new contract needs to be created within the 36 months (3years!) for a new type of cafeteria or food program. However, I’m sure these new types of vending machines also cost quite a shiny penny. Most times when visiting the food court, I find many of the vending machines poorly stocked or out of order. The coffee machines run out of cups constantly and there’s no one to report the lost money to. The microwavable and snack food choices are quite unhealthy, exceeding in grams of fat and high calorie content.

When I attended Moorpark College back in 2007-2010, the cafeteria was a busy, noisy, but lively clean food court where students chatted while waiting on their sandwiches or salads. There were fresh apples and bananas by the cashier when checking out with your meal. I never thought about eating elsewhere off campus, didn’t need to lose my parking spot or spend more money at some fast food restaurant. Now, the only choices outside the campus are typically McDonalds, Subway or the Starbucks chains. The delicious foods come from new mom ‘n’ pop places like Custom Melts or Custom Pies, but they can break most students’ lunch budget every week. There’s not enough choices. There should be alternative healthy meal choices, as oppose to restaurant chains.

Since my career field is in nutrition, and I’m excited about being back at this community college to finish some prerequisites for my Masters, I find this somewhat disturbing since it’s occurring at a college. Especially at such a high end west coast college like Moorpark and Ventura community colleges. Our students desire to be well-trained in class, but in order for us to fully focus, we need an adequate nutritious meal intake on the daily basis, full of protein and different vitamins, not just minerals sprayed onto a carb cardboard substance.

So in the result of this venting, I’m looking for some more information on how I can help. I understand there’s a committee, not sure where or the name of it but I heard it by another student and that there’s a suggestion box in the “Vending Court”.

(Story Submitted to the Student Voice by Rachel McHenry)