The Observer, November 16, 2007
Volume XL, Issue 11
Leutner's Fresco adds vegan variety
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Vegans, vegetarians, and health food fanatics will be excited for Leutner's new addition, the Fresco bar.
Students now have access to more varieties of healthy meal options: at least three complete proteins, two whole grains, three types of vegetables, three kinds of bread (one vegan), and four salads are served daily.
While some mourn the loss of Cucina, the pasta/pizza bar, pizza is still served at the World bar daily and pasta is served on the weekends, as well as in L3, located below Leutner.
Fresco encourages better eating habits with dishes including southwestern lasagna and baked risotto cakes with tomato pepper coulis made with healthy ingredients and, whenever possible, ingredients from local farmers.
"It's our mission to serve healthy food at all times...we're supporting local farmers,"? says Matt Waddell, the executive chef at Leutner. This mission seems to be taking shape as nothing at Fresco is fried or contains trans fat.
The surprisingly delicious and elaborate vegetarian options has drawn even the most carnivorous Case creatures every once in a while between their burgers and chicken burritos.
"It's nice they have a healthy variety because before it was mainly just the salad bar. I really like it,"? remarked one meat-eating student.
Others, however, question the way in which the new vegan varieties were added.
"I understand they need to have more vegan options, but they could have added more without taking away the Italian section. There are better ways to add vegan options than taking away an entire section...they could have integrated vegan food into all the sections,"? said one student. Another agreed, "It would have been better if they added it instead of replacing a type of food that everyone liked."
Regardless of how these new vegan-friendly foods sprang up in the daily menu, most agree it was a necessary and positive change. With such a diverse student body, it is important the campus sustains and encourages those differences. The new addition provides both accommodations for Case's large number of vegetarians and vegans as well as an alternative and supplement for everyone else.
Fresco's prominent location in the dining area promotes healthier meal choices, and many students snag a side of fruit salad or grilled vegetables on the way to their seats because of the food's convenient location. Bon Appetit's development of the Fresco bar is a much-appreciated step in the right direction toward providing quality, healthy food to satisfy its thousands of daily consumers.
