'Viva Vegetarian' provides dining alternative at Harden

Mary Cunningham / Reporter

To promote vegetarianism, and in response to the growing student demand for more vegetarian options on campus, the Sierra Club and Elon Dining Services are teaming up to host "Viva Vegetarian."  Today, Harden Dining Hall will serve only vegetarian meals.

"We know there are a lot of people on campus we talked to who are vegetarians or want more vegetarian options," said senior Liz Clift, a Sierra Club member helping to coordinate the event.

This past Tuesday and Wednesday and  from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Sierra Club members had a table in Moseley Center informing people about "Viva Vegetarian."  Students had the opportunity to learn why vegetarianism is better for the body, for animals and for the environment, what the different types of vegetarians are and why it is a more sustainable diet.

Currently, Harden has one vegetarian station every day because there were requests for more vegetarian options. Station one, which is normally vegetarian, will be vegan for lunch and dinner.

The Sierra Club is also looking into the future. Originally, the organization did not intend for the entire day to be vegetarian.

"Students can sign a petition if they want to see more vegetarian options or more vegetarian days at Harden," Clift said.  "I am asking for the middle station in Harden to be vegetarian for lunch and dinner."

It was Rita Gordish, marketing program manager for Elon Dining Services, who said she wanted to do Harden all-vegetarian, all day.

According to Gordish, having only vegetarian options will have more of an impact on students and what the club is trying to promote. They hope to spread the word around campus, so that students coming to Harden who may usually get meat will not be surprised by the temporary change.

"The first goal is to make students aware there are only vegetarian options for breakfast, lunch and dinner," Gordish said. Because both the Sierra Club and Dining Services are heavily advertising the changes, they are not anticipating a bad reaction from students who do not usually follow a vegetarian diet.

 "I think even if people came and they weren't aware and had their heart set on meat, it's good for people to step outside of the box,"

said junior Nicole Dvorak, co-president of the Sierra Club. It is also a good way for students to try the vegetarian options they may not usually try without wasting a meal plan because if they do not like the first option, there are at least three other options.

There will also be a table in Harden today where students can learn similar things about vegetarians and the vegetarian options they may be trying.

This coincides with the Students for Peace and Justice's movement to get more organic food on campus, but the two are not directly related.

According to Gordish Elon is trying to include some organic fruits and vegetables into the meals.

The meal options will be more than just grilled cheese and cheese pizza, though those will still be available. There will be options that students have never seen before, according to Gordish.

In past years, the Sierra Club has hosted "Don't Drive Day," where students signed up and promised not to drive on  a particular day in support of the environment. So when a member suggested "Viva Vegetarian" instead, the club thought it was a good idea. Only about half of the club's members are vegetarians, but they are all in support of this event.

All other dining areas will be serving their normal meals today for anyone who may not be ready to try vegetarian.

"If successful, we're hoping for once a semester, more if we get good feedback," Clift said.

Both the Sierra Club and Dining Services hope to get feedback to help them plan for the future. There will be a suggestion box so students can let them know whether to do this again. Dining Services will have their Real Food On Campus feedback forms for students to leave suggestions.

Contact Mary Cunningham at pendulum@Elton.edu or 278-7247.