Following Fullerton College’s changes in the school’s budget, students will now have access to free, pre-assembled meals in the campus dining hall. This is a notable change from the system implemented last semester, where students had access to $12 worth of food, snacks, and drinks without limit to what they could choose.
In the past, students used this $12 perk to supply themselves with much needed food, drinks, and snacks to fuel a day of classes. Many students said they used that benefit to supply their children and families with supplies needed throughout the week.
Allocation of student resources this semester have shifted as emergency funding from the COVID-19 pandemic the school received comes to an end. As the school returns to pre-pandemic budget models, resources like food and parking permits have been affected.
“The college remains committed to easing the financial burden on students by offering free meals, a $100 credit for textbooks to those enrolled in at least nine credits, and the new Hornets Resource Center, which connects students with food, housing, and financial assistance,” said Pepe Barton, Director of Campus Communications, in a statement.
Besides frustration from less access to resources and the inability to choose their meals, students have raised concerns over quality of the food.
“Don’t expect flavor, don’t expect an experience,” said a student in the dining hall. “You definitely get what the voucher is worth. You’ll get to class with a full belly and that’s about it.”
As for the new plan, each student can receive one meal, which includes a bottle of water and a bag of chips. Meals offered for the day are pre-determined and posted by the campus dining hall on the Fullerton College website, alongside other useful information about the campus dining hall and student resources.
New options are offered daily, with options for the week of August 26 including penne pasta with meatballs and marinara sauce, chicken tinga taco plates, buffalo chicken sandwich, and more. Additionally, each meal has a vegetarian counterpart.
“Fullerton College students can enjoy a free meal deal from the Fullerton College Cafeteria every day,” reads an excerpt from the “Meals” section of the Fullerton College website.
“Just scan your student ID at the register to receive a meal credit, which can then be used for one meal deal of the day. The meal includes bottled water and a bag of chips. The credit only applies to one daily meal deal Monday through Friday in the Campus Cafeteria, Cruz Reynoso Hall, Building 200. A vegetarian option will also be provided daily.”
The campus dining hall will also be accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, allowing students who receive EBT benefits to utilize those funds for food during the school day. Students also have access to the Chris Lamm and Toni DuBois Walker Memorial Food Bank for supplemental food support in Building 1900, Room 1955.
