by Ramen noodles, pizza, and food from the vending machine are all staples in a college student’s diet. That doesn’t have to be the case.
For a college student, there are many obstacles to navigate; where to get their next meal shouldn’t be one of them.
The choices offered at NCC to help keep college students fed and healthy are numerous. Some include NCC food services, the H.O.P.E. food pantry, and the farmer’s market in the quad every Wednesday.
Food services focus on making their food healthy, tasty, and relevant. Feeding students in the NCC food court and in the dorms, Food services has made it a priority to ensure that their food is prepared in the kitchen and made from fresh ingredients.
Food services attempt to buy their ingredients locally.
Jett’s Produce, Fresh Tofu Inc., Weaver’s Orchard, and Blueberry Bill Farms are part of the local places Food services uses.
“We do try to buy locally as much as we can and whenever there is a reliable supply,” said Alan Hartley Executive Chef at NCC.
Hartley has worked at NCC for 18 years during this time programs such as the Simply to Go program, which offers many freshly made options for sale on a daily basis, the salad bar has all of its ingredients prepared in the kitchens, and the chef’s table provides quality prepared food became a part of Food services.
“We are always listening to what people want to eat and try to keep it as healthy as we can. This way the students can enjoy what they are eating and know it’s high-quality food,” said Hartley
If times are tough, as they can be for college students, there is always the H.O.P.E. food pantry. The H.O.P.E. Food Pantry was initiated by the Nursing Student Organization (NSO) who wanted to help students that we’re struggling to buy food.
The H.O.P.E. Food Pantry is located in Penn Hall Room 122-A. During the Fall 2019 semester, the pantry is open Mondays from 12-2 pm and Thursdays from 3:30-5:30 pm.
“As a student, specifically a nursing student, I see the correlation between basic nourishment and academic success… It’s a rewarding experience and I, along with the rest of the pantry volunteers, are thankful we are able to help so many of our grateful peers,” said Krystina Gundrum the pantry student supervisor.
For students who want to make sure they are eating fresh food there is the farmers market.
Every Wednesday in the Quad the farmers market takes place to offer college students a chance to get healthy food. Now accepting EBT, the farmers market can be enjoyed by anyone.
The farmers market is open on Wednesday from 10-2.
Many businesses set up shop including Monocacy Coffee, The Flour Shop Bakery, Jett’s Produce, NCC East 40 Community Garden, Bahereh & Walter’s Heartizen Clay Art, there is always something fun to see and healthy food to buy.
“A well-balanced diet provides good nutrition that helps keeps you focused. When you aren’t getting the nutrition your body needs it can cause some serious health issues” said Lisa Burger a registered nurse at NCC.
Getting proper nutrition is important for anyone, especially a busy college student. By using the multiple services provided at NCC students should be able to eat a full healthy meal.
