Mount Holyoke CollegeCampus Dining Summary

Written by Alessandra Hickson

Alessandra Hickson

Hometown

Philadelphia, PA

Major

Art History

View all previous student authors

Mount Holyoke students like to make little complaints about food, but the reality is that most people enjoy it. Since the board plan is required for all students who live on campus, food is extremely important. There is a wide range of student opinion on the topic of campus dining. Some say the food in Blanchard is too greasy. Other students say they love having so many options. Some say dining hall food is horrible, while others say they don’t mind it. In general, the food is edible, and there are always vegetarian and vegan options. However, it can sometimes lack flavor, and some of the more “creative” vegetarian alternatives tend to become the stuff of legend—not in a good way. Some things, such as meatballs, just weren’t meant to be vegetarian.

In recent years, Mount Holyoke has begun to compost in all dining centers, which can trip up first-year students at the dish line, but it certainly helps the environment. Dining Services has also made an effort to get more locally grown food from area farmers and even from the Mount Holyoke College Student Garden. In fact, one of the most popular Gracious Dinners of the year is the local food Gracious Dinner. While there are still complaints and kinks to be worked out, the food at Mount Holyoke is better than food at other schools according to those who’ve been to other campuses, so students count their blessings.