By Dani Frank

Let me start this off by saying thank you. Thank you, Hofstra, for recognizing that people have different needs when it comes to eating. We don’t all eat meat, some of us can’t eat dairy, and some people just hate vegetables. The variety of food in the student center is admirable.

However, I have seen a recent decline in the options open to vegans-those who do not eat meat or dairy products; anything that comes from an animal. The fact that Hofstra has vegan food at all is great. Knowing that I, as well as other students, do not have to make a meal of rice and vegetables due to a lack of options is something I appreciate. Unfortunately, as I have been trying to find meals lately, I see our options slowly disappearing.

Signs around campus proclaim the addition of Maui Tacos, Pizza Exchange, Pura Vida, and vegetarian and vegan entrees. Before these signs were added, there were actually more vegan options than there are now. In the Student Center Cafe, there is no longer soy cheese pizza or vegan bruschetta pizza. The vegan entrees at the hot-bar have shrunk to two options mixed among regular food as opposed to having a counter full of options. I saw the same dubious looking pasta primavera in this area for four days; one day labeled as vegan pasta primavera, the next as pasta primavera, and the next as vegan lo mein. I took a leap and bought it for dinner but immediately regretted it. Not only should there be more vegan options, but they should be fresh enough that one feels safe eating them.

Another problem is that the eatery options for vegans are very limited. I have been in Bits and Bytes a few times and have had to settle on cereal or the salad bar. These are meals that are good for on the go but are not filling enough to last one the entire day. Maui Tacos is a welcome addition for their vegetarian tacos that I can just order without cheese or sour cream.

While there are options that are not specifically vegan but can be made vegan, such as Nature’s Organic and the sushi bar, it would be nice for the school to live up to its promises. If it is said that there are new vegan and vegetarian entrees, I would like to have them available instead of non-existent.

Considering I have a $1300 meal plan, the lowest amount available for freshmen, I would like to put my money to good use, instead of having $200 left in the last week of the semester. Considering a Luna bar costs $3.50 and a Nature’s Organic pasta meal is about $6.00, the money should be disappearing. But with even fewer options available to me than previously, I see myself with an even greater amount of money left over this semester.

Unfortunately, this is all that is available to me. Without a car, it is impossible to eat off campus unless a friend with a car feels like taking a drive. Also, it’s not fun spending your own money at a restaurant when at school you can swipe a card with instant money.

To see the change that Lackmann has stated would be amazing. Right now, all they are giving us is a “lack” of what they have promised. Take-out Chinese food is great only so many times before you’re tired of waiting 30 minutes for vegetables and noodles. To have the old food that has mysteriously disappeared brought back would be enough. Bringing back soy cheese pizza and an extra hot vegan entrée would negate the false “new additions.”

Hopefully some more vegan options will be added before the end of this semester. Otherwise, my approach to eating at school will be much different next year.

Dani Frank is a freshman print journalism student. You may e-mail her at [email protected].