Dining

Getting That Bread: Cornell Dining’s Mystery Shopper Program

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For many students with meal plans, the Mystery Shopper Program has been a long-time subject of curiosity. Aiming to recognize outstanding eateries and improve the dining experience, this initiative is real and offers students the dream job: to eat meals at select cafes and dining halls on an hourly wage in addition to reimbursement for the meal. All that’s required is a brief online review preceded by subtle, discrete and unannounced visits to dining units. 

In late February, the opportunity was formally opened to students with a meal plan during Spring of 2024. Now, over a month later, there are 70 total mystery shoppers traveling to 29 different dining units. Started by former Assistant Director Of Staff Training & Development Therese O’Connor, the program has expanded dramatically over the years, helping Cornell maintain its reputation and high rankings, such as having the second “Best Campus Food” per the Princeton Review.

Dining

Food Politics: Cornell Students Should Care About SNAP

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Cornell students need to recognize the importance of SNAP’s in reducing food insecurity. A possible method to start destigmatizing food stamps is to educate people on what it is, who is eligible and why SNAP is important — even when it doesn’t benefit yourself. Food insecurity is a huge problem, not to mention a problem that has spread to many college campuses. Without food security, students can face consequences related to academic performance and health, increasing the chances of students falling into a lower GPA category, struggling to attend classes and facing anxiety as well as depression are only a few of the consequences.

Dining

Purring and Kneading Locally-Sourced “Biscuits” at the Alley Cat Cafe

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After spending time with the cats, you can order the purrfect drinks, sandwiches and treats to satisfy your taste buds —or perhaps cope with not leaving with one of the cats that has sat on your lap for 20 minutes and began making biscuits on your hoodie. One thing you may not know about this cafe, however, is how deeply it’s connected to its community. According to the owner, Kristin, Alley Cat Cafe works with a diverse list of small businesses specializing in a wide variety of goods. 

Culinary on a Budget

Snacks: Your Hangry Insurance Policy

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At the end of the day, everyone needs to eat. Amid a chaotic college schedule, it’s easy to ignore your hunger cues and forget to eat full meals. Snacks with sustenance don’t have to be overwhelming. Make use of your hangry insurance policy.

Dining

Moseying: Exploring Collaborative Cooking in Cornell Co-ops

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On Sunday, Feb. 11, Cornell’s undergraduate co-ops kicked off their Spring 2024 moseying process with a series of open houses. From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m, potential new residents were welcomed to eight different Cornell-affiliated housing units for a brief tour and a closer look into cooperative (co-op) living. Moseying, a long-time tradition amongst the co-ops, is a casual two-week recruitment period. It involves social events from late night crafts to collaborative dinners, resulting in selecting new co-op residents for the upcoming semester.

Dining

Gutting the Conversation Around Food, Body and Health

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Editor’s Note: This piece mentions disordered eating behaviors. Trying to eat healthily and consistently at college is a daunting task for anyone. It becomes a monumental task when faced with health issues that warrant food restrictions and limitations and few resources to go around. Over the past year, I’ve learned that a lot of –– what I previously considered to be –– physical symptoms of anxiety and stress, were mostly pre-existing gastrointestinal (GI, a fancy way to say “stomach”) issues. My relationship with food has waxed and waned to an occasionally toxic degree; I’m pretty sure that I am not the only one.