Pacific Index

Student body says Bon Voyage to trust in Bon Appetit

Three weeks after school started and students had settled into their daily routines, as well as their meals at the UC, a video was posted to Yik Yak anonymously. It showed a worm on a plate of salad from the UC; the worm was coiled around itself so tight that it looked like an apple stem. Then, in the video, the small worm, about an inch-long, began to move, wriggling in the green mixture of dressing and dew surrounding it, threading itself through the half-eaten lettuce leaves before burrowing further into the salad.

The most unsettling aspect of this video, besides that the salad was half consumed, was how common this situation has become; not necessarily worms, but cases of the UC food varying between inedible and unnerving have been increasing. 

Following the “worm-gate” video, other students posted complaints and accusations about Bon Appetit’s lack of care and oversight. One disturbing post, made on September 23, was titled “I was wondering why my pasta salad from the market tasted fermented…,” and showed that the veggie pasta salad box’s best-by-date was September 6, more than two weeks prior.

A day after the video was posted, I went on my own fact-finding mission, and checked the veggie pasta salad supply at the UC market. On the first pasta salad I could find, the best-by-date was September 13 (this was on September 24). I took a picture and showed the item to the woman working the register. She had no idea that the pasta was out-of-date and immediately threw it in the trash. Later, I returned to talk with another cashier at the market, who told me: “We’re not told to check the expiration date on most items, save for the sushi.” 

When contacted by the Index for a response, Dining General Manager, Kevin Means, and Director of Student Affairs, Operations, and Strategic Initiatives, Lisa Aiello both said that they were not aware that items were out of date. “This is very concerning,” said Aiello. “The distributor of those items, Higher Taste, comes in weekly to restock those items, so any issue with that is because of them not doing their job. We will be taking a greater interest in this.” 

“We want dining here to be a more positive experience,” she added. “With your busy schedules it’s a part of our mission to ensure that eating is something that students don’t dread. We take your concerns very seriously.” 

Regarding the broader concerns, Aiello added, “If we’re not directly informed, then we don’t know. We ask that if students have any complaints or concerns, they direct them specifically to us. We will be implementing greater measures to ensure that something like this doesn’t happen again. The lettuce and other organic produce will be thoroughly washed, monitored, and then inspected to avoid issues like this in the future.” 

But those concerns have sparked enough student concern that a petition has been circulating to reconsider the university’s contract with Bon Appetit, the company responsible for food services on campus; at press time, there were 139 signatures, nearly one out of ten undergraduates and triple the number from a petition two years ago to institute mandatory meal plans for all students living on campus. Low food quality, lack of food diversity, lack of food in general, foreign debris (like worms), and Bon Appetit’s apparent lack of action concerning dietary options, were all covered in the petition. 

“We’re not demanding more than what we deserve—healthy, safe food options that adhere to our diverse needs and uphold the standards set by local and national regulation agencies,” stated Gabrielle Whisler, who originated the petition. “Pacific University, known for prioritizing the welfare of its students, must review and reconsider its contract with Bon Appetit.”