Students at Salt Lake Community College have a limited selection of healthy food. The school has vending machines all over campuses that are full of candy, chips, cookies, soda, and sugar-filled energy and sports drinks.
Vegetarians at SLCC, like Natalie Martella feel stuck about the situation. Martella chose to become vegetarian after seeing videos of animals being slaughtered.
“If healthier and vegetarian entrées were offered, I would purchase them, but instead I’m stuck having to settle with tiny veggie sides or packing my own lunch, which isn’t convenient if I’m in a hurry,” Martella says. “I would purchase organic food, if it was offered at Salt Lake Community College, but it’s hard to get organic.”
The healthy selection that SLCC has available in the Food Court is limited to small snacks, high calorie sandwiches, and a veggie burger.
“If Salt Lake Community College had entrée selections for vegetarians or vegans, I would be willing to spend six to seven dollars on the dish because it promotes healthier eating habits.” Martella said.
Another problem is that there are no vegan, vegetarian or organic restaurants located near the Taylorsville Redwood Campus. There are a select few vegan, vegetarian and organic restaurants located near the South City Campus in downtown Salt Lake City including Vertical Diner, Sage’s Café and Star of India.
Near the Jordan Campus, there are fast food restaurants and collection of mall food places to eat, or there is the Jordan Campus Food Court, which is similar to the Food Court at the Taylorsville Redwood Campus.
Restaurants that offer vegan or vegetarian dishes, but are not fully vegan or vegetarian restaurants near the Taylorsville Redwood Campus include The Green Papaya, Pho restaurants, Vietnamese, Indian and Thai restaurants. These restaurants offer veggies in place of meat.
Until SLCC chooses to get more meal options for healthier eaters and vegan or vegetarian students, it looks like vegan, vegetarian and organic students will have to resort to eating off campus or packing a lunch.
