Tired of limited cafeteria offerings from Aramark, a rising amount of students have sought out local alternatives
Samantha Osaduke
Staff Writer
York students have begun to rely on meals from garbage bins, compost, and recycling bins to get their nourishment throughout the day. What started after students saw a local homeless man eating a discarded Popeye’s biscuit from a garbage can, led to a campus-wide movement towards previously-owned meals.
“I was walking around campus when I saw that hobo, and thought ‘why the hell is he getting all the good food?’” admits Amanda Ross, a student who started the so-called “Oscar Diet” just a few days ago.
Oscar-dieting students have started a new trend of having “garbage picnics” on campus during weekday lunch hours. They take the garbage bag out of the bin and sit on the grass in the University Commons to help themselves to the morning’s abandoned spoils before they spoil.
“I enjoy the garbage picnics, they really help bring students together in a meaningful way,” says Ali Fiayaz, a first-year student from Pond Residence. “My family doctor was really worried about my nutritional intake, but once I switched from eating at Mangia Mangia every day to the Oscar Diet, he’s been really supportive.”
However, the arrangement doesn’t sit well with every student.
“I work my ass off; I’m in class from 9 to 5,” says fourth-year chemistry major, Lisa Chiu. “By the time I have a chance to hit the bins, those lazy students with a partial course-load have taken all the best bits for themselves with their constant picnics.
“I feel like one per cent of the student population at York is eating 40 per cent of the garbage. How fair is that?”
DISCLAIMER: This issue contains works of satire. All names used in this story are invented, except in cases where public figures are being satirized. Any other use of real names or events is accidental and coincidental.
