December 9, 2010 (Raleigh, NC)—NC State Dining has expanded vegetarian and vegan options across campus in dining hall facilities and retail operations. While only two percent of NC State Dining meal-plan holders indicate that they are either vegan or vegetarian, a growing number of students are interested in healthy vegetable-focused options at least a few days a week.
On a daily basis, dining hall facilities serve vegan and vegetarian options, ranging from hot entrees to crisp salads. Each Wednesday, NC State Dining offers organic salad bar options, including items such as a spring mix, tomatoes and carrots.
NC State Dining supports vegetarian and vegans across campus through monthly focus groups. Based on feedback from these groups, chefs have created new vegan and vegetarian recipes that can be seen regularly in the dining halls. These options include, broccoli and tofu stir-fry, candied yams, risotto with vegetables, vegetable rib-e-que and hummus ma loubaya.
“By soliciting feedback from vegetarian and vegan students on a monthly-basis, we are ensuring that we satisfy all our student’s needs,” said Lisa Eberhart, NC State Dining’s registered dietitian. “In recent years, we’ve developed a strong list of vegetarian and vegan-friendly options that are tasty and healthy.”
To maintain a strong variety in the dining halls, NC State Dining features “Monotony Breakers.” These breaks in the regular four-week cycle are inserted into the menu to provide a range in food choices. In the past semester, NC State Dining has featured vegetables and dip, exotic fruits and spreads and sushi. At these events, vegan and vegetarian-friendly options were offered.
For students on the go, NC State Dining creates and purchases vegetarian, vegan options in its retail operations. Campus C-Store locations offer more than 200 vegan items. In summer 2010, NC State Dining created a self-branded line of salads, sandwiches, wraps, pitas and parfaits for student seeking fresh, food options. The line, Wolfpack-to-Go, includes 52 items with a wide variety of vegetarian options. NC State Dining’s catering division has also expanded its options within the last year.
Vegan options are identified on NC State Dining facilities online menus through the legend located at the bottom of the page. A list of vegan items in C-Stores can also be found online at www.ncsudining.com .
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