Share you culture, but not your food?
Policy disappoints Language Day participants
Donna P. Crilly
Issue date: 5/19/09 Section: News
"There's some truth to that but a lot of that is inaccurate information," said Pierce. "Unless a special function like this took place everyday, it generally doesn't hurt profits."
Before the ban on food, whenever an event such as Language Day takes place, the cafeteria plans for less profits by cutting staff and ordering less food for the day, according to Pierce.
Currently, the cafeteria suffers from a $300,000 budget deficit, confirmed by Pierce.
Probably the most disappointing aspect to the cafeteria shutting down each vendor during December 2008's Language Day fair was how abruptly it happened.
"We didn't get any notice or anything. That's not right," said Ronke.
Ronke questions why she has always been allowed to bring food that she ordered from caterers with food licenses in years past at both Grossmont Community College and City College.
"There's a whole different set of criteria once a vendor leaves its normal restaurant or kitchen," Pierce explains; but it doesn't explain why bringing food has been permissible in so many years past, even after the incident that occurred 8-10 years ago where more than 100 people got food poisoning from an outside vendor.
As the district was liable in that situation, Pierce notes how critical it is for a vendor to have the appropriate certification and documentation.
"[The food] could put the entire community college district at risk," said Pierce, with regard to liability, adding that it may take some time for the vendors to adjust to the regulations set.
Estrada "doesn't know much" about the profit issue but is working on sorting out the ability to obtain permits for outside vendors at future Language Day fairs. For now, chips and soda will be some of the few items for students to enjoy, said Estrada.
Before the ban on food, whenever an event such as Language Day takes place, the cafeteria plans for less profits by cutting staff and ordering less food for the day, according to Pierce.
Currently, the cafeteria suffers from a $300,000 budget deficit, confirmed by Pierce.
Probably the most disappointing aspect to the cafeteria shutting down each vendor during December 2008's Language Day fair was how abruptly it happened.
"We didn't get any notice or anything. That's not right," said Ronke.
Ronke questions why she has always been allowed to bring food that she ordered from caterers with food licenses in years past at both Grossmont Community College and City College.
"There's a whole different set of criteria once a vendor leaves its normal restaurant or kitchen," Pierce explains; but it doesn't explain why bringing food has been permissible in so many years past, even after the incident that occurred 8-10 years ago where more than 100 people got food poisoning from an outside vendor.
As the district was liable in that situation, Pierce notes how critical it is for a vendor to have the appropriate certification and documentation.
"[The food] could put the entire community college district at risk," said Pierce, with regard to liability, adding that it may take some time for the vendors to adjust to the regulations set.
Estrada "doesn't know much" about the profit issue but is working on sorting out the ability to obtain permits for outside vendors at future Language Day fairs. For now, chips and soda will be some of the few items for students to enjoy, said Estrada.
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