Bronx Community College and Hostos Community College have been without on-campus dining since 2023 due to the closure of their food vendor. The universities are currently seeking a new vendor through a request for proposals. In the meantime, students struggle with limited food options and some rely on vending machines for meals. The lack of on-campus dining impacts student well-being and academic performance, with many students experiencing food insecurity.
The Bronx Community College and Hostos Community College have been facing challenges in providing on-campus dining options for their students, faculty, and staff since the fall of 2023 when their cafeteria supplier, A La Carte Menu Services, terminated their contract due to low sales. Since then, both campuses have been struggling to establish consistent dining services on-site, especially after the disruptions caused by the pandemic in 2020.
Considering the importance of access to nutritious and affordable food for student success, the City University of New York (CUNY) is actively seeking a new food vendor to provide dining services at Bronx Community College, Hostos Community College, and LaGuardia Community College. The selected vendor will be responsible for offering a variety of fresh and tasty food and beverages, including managing dining rooms, cafeterias, catering services, and related activities.
While the selection process for a new contractor is ongoing, CUNY has introduced interim solutions to address the lack of on-campus dining. Vending machines offering healthy food options like salads, pasta bowls, and chia seed pudding have been installed at Bronx Community College and Hostos Community College. Additionally, the Farmer’s Fridge, a popular provider of fresh ready-to-eat meals, has been made available as an alternative dining option for students.
Despite these efforts, students like Sulenny Dominguez and Tahj Evans express the desire for on-campus dining services to be reinstated. Dominguez recalls the convenience and quality of the food available when the cafeteria was operational, highlighting the financial burden and inconvenience of having to purchase meals off-campus. Evans, on the other hand, often brings his own meals or opts for quick bites from nearby establishments when the cafeteria is closed.
Access to affordable and nutritious food is essential for student well-being and academic success, especially considering that a significant portion of CUNY students are food insecure. Providing on-campus dining services not only addresses the immediate need for sustenance but also contributes to a conducive learning environment for students.
As the campuses work towards selecting a new food vendor, the community at Bronx Community College and Hostos Community College eagerly anticipates the return of on-campus dining services to cater to their diverse culinary needs and preferences. Until then, the temporary solutions put in place by CUNY aim to bridge the gap and ensure that students have access to healthy food options while on campus.
Source: TheCity.NYC
