Dining Services Dining Q&A

Who do I speak to if I want to get off the meal plan?

Please complete a Meal Plan Exemption Request in order to begin the process.

https://www.amherst.edu/campuslife/housing-dining/dining/about-ac-dining/meal_plans/exemptions

You can also contact our nutritionist, Megan Scutti (mscutti@amherst.edu), to discuss options

 The Accessibility Services Office can also assist you. Their email is accessibility@amherst.edu

Can the tuna salad sandwiches please have less "salad" in them? I got a tuna salad, and there were lettuce, peppers, celery, and carrots in it. I just simply want a plain ol' tuna fish, mixed with just mayo (PLEASE no celery!), on regular white (or even whole grain white) bread. It's already tough enough with the selections being limited due to COVID, but all the other sandwiches were on dark/grainy breads, or vegan/gluten-free, etc. I understand that many people are moving towards vegan, or whole-grain foods, or need it to be gluten-free, etc. But not me. I just want a plain simple comfort food option when I get lunch, and I know I can speak for many others when I say that. Thanks.

Hello,

Thank you for your feedback.  We cannot customize salads at this time.  As we enter the semester and our operations become more streamlined we may be able to consider requests in the future. 

Best,

Joe Flueckiger

Director of Dining Services

How does the meal pick-up app work?

Not yet, working on it

Is there any way for the online menu to be updated if something is no longer being served? Fairly frequently, there are no smoothies when it says there will be, and it would be really great if this could be reflected online for a variety of reasons.

Hello,

Thank you for your question.  Smoothies have been a probelm for us on the weekend.  I am sorry about this.  We have struggled with staffing for these shifts.  We will review the offerings and make sure they reflect what's offered correctly.

Best

Joe Flueckiger

Director of Dining Services

Hi. I'm increasingly concerned with the coronavirus and with staying hygienic. Can you provide more information about hygiene in Val and maybe have a hand-washing station before meals? Thank you

Hello 

Thank you for your question.  Amherst College has a Strategic Emergency Preparedness taks force working on all of the related issues that concern the Coronavirus.  Amherst College Dining is prepared to scale the our dining servcies as is neccessry to protect our community.  Additionally we already use a santizer that is effective against viruses on all surfaces.  This part is routine.  Our plates, bowls, etc are sanitized to protect students against cross contamination.  There will be more commuication coming out from the College to explain the measures we are taking to protect Students and the Amherst College Community.  

We strongly encourage frequent handwashing.  Restrooms are located in the Valentine Lobby and on the lower level of Valentine.

Best,

Joe Flueckiger

Direcetor of Dining Servcies

What is the cost of "late lunch" at Valentine for faculty and staff? Could there be a "coffee break" option?

Late Lunch is the same price as regular lunch for staff and faculty, $4.

If you want to come to Val just for the coffee and/or any other beverage you do not have to swipe your card.

Hope this helps!

Hi! So typically on spaghetti and meatball nights, there are veggie meatballs served in lighter side. The past 2 times however, even though the veggie meatballs have been on the online menu, they have not been served. Is there a reason for this? Will they likely be back any time soon? Thank you!

Hello,
The veggie meatballs were left off the menu by accident. They will be added in on the next rotation. Thanks for the reminder.
Best,
Joe Flueckiger

Is there any way we could get smoked salmon or lox at Val? Perhaps once a week? We already have smoked salmon at the Sci center cafe and at grab and go... it would really up Val’s bagel game.

Hello,

Thank you for your question.  Sadly this is not possible.  It ti simply too expensive for us to offer this in the quantitiy needed to supply our student / staff population.  

Best,

Joe Flueckiger

This is less of a question and more a comment. I am a staff member and I want to thank you for all that you do! Valentine hall is an amazing spot to eat, and I am so grateful that you have vegan/vegetarian options! I can tell you make an effort and it has been noticed and enjoyed. Well done!

Thank you for your kind words, that means a lot!

Joe Flueckiger

Director of Dining

Please incorporate dals (lentils cooked Indian style) on the menu, they are a great source of proteins for vegetarians. Also Indian style vegetables (dry or wet) should form part of the menu on a regular basis. Mount Holyoke offers a dal every day on the menu.

Hello,

Thanks for this suggestion.  This may be possible, though we will likely have to drop some itmes to make space for these.  We will work with our cuinary team to see if this is possible.

Thank you,

Joe Flueckiger

Hi, Is there any way we can get a gluten-free bread that isn’t the “seeds and grains” one? I try to avoid flax seed, but this bread has that. Udi’s makes great gluten free white bread, but there are certainly other good ones as well. Thanks!

Hello,

thaks for your question, we will look into this..

Hi! There are several grab n go items that used to be vegan, but are now only vegetarian. The chickpea wrap, veggie sushi roll, and marinated cucumber sandwich. Can they please be vegan again? There is a lack of vegan options on the grab n go besides the garden veggie wrap. Thank you.

Hello,

Those items will be Vegan once again.  The issue was the mayonaise.  Just Mayo (TM) was out of stock for quite some time and is now back in stock.

Thanks for your patience...

Best,

Joe Flueckiger

Hi, Why did the bread pudding recipe change it was so good before!!

The last time the bread pudding was made with a variety of seasonal desserts. That was a unique featured item. The regular bread pudding will be on next week. Let us know if this is more to your liking. We have no intention of changing the recipe - that was a one time event.... Thanks for your feedback.

Best, Joe Flueckiger

Hi! Any chance Val could incorporate vegetarian meat into its breakfast? Veggie bacon or sausage would be a great addition to the breakfast line :) thanks!

Hello,

This is something we have tried in the past, and we are happy to try this again.  We will be making a few changes to the menu for next semester and we will do our best to incorporate this.

thank you for the suggestion,

Joe Flueckiger

Director of Dining

Enjoy the Ban Mi option in Grab-n-Go, but could it be on its traditional french bread/baguette. A wrap is a bit odd.

Thanks for your question

i have checked in with our Grab n Go team and they will plan to make the change next semester, thanks for the suggestion 

Hi! Is stir fry coming back? It has been deeply missed!! Thank you

Stir Fry is definitely coming back.  Sorry about the dealy.  We are trying to hire students to suppor this and other areas of our operation.  I beleive we will have it open for Tuesday next week.

Joe Flueckiger

Director of Dining

Would it be possible to get a non-dairy yogurt that is not made from soy in the morning?

Hello,

Thank you for your question.  Let me look into it.  Most of the non-dairy yogurts only come in single serve sizes.  This is the primary reason we chose the Silk Soy yogurt.  If we can find one that is non-soy and comes in a larger container, we may be able sto switch.  

Thanks for reaching out,

Joe Flueckiger

Director of Dining Services

Vegan pesto and mayo? What happened to it in allergy fridge

Hello, thank you for your question

I will look into these products and should have then back shortly.  I know the Just Mayo company has had a lot of production issues and has been out of stock for months.  We can source a different product...

Thank,

Joe Flueckiger

Director of Dining Services 

The baby carrots at the salad bar always are paired with serving tongs! It is are really hard to grab multiple carrots at once. Many of my friends and I get bowls of JUST baby carrots, as opposed to sprinkling some on salads. A spoon or ladle would be much more efficient!

Hello 

Thank you for your suggestion, we will look into this.

Joe Flueckiger

Director of Dining Services

Hi! Does the chai latte or chai espresso have added sugar?

Hello,

Yes the Chai and hot chocloate berverages do have sugar added.  We will be offering bagged chai tea products soon.

thanks

Joe Flueckiger

Director of Dining Servcies