Lincoln Residence Hall’s new Grab N Go is making UIS’ diversity motto more relevant. Open Sunday-Thursday from 4-10pm, it has Indian, East Asian, American and Mexican foods and drinks. Serving everything from fruit to Chinese noodles, LRH Grab N Go is receiving visitors from many cultures. In addition to varied cultures visiting the food vendor, vegan and vegetarians come to buy natural foods.
UIS Food Service is helping taking its students in a direction of healthiness with a drink called wheat grass. The wheat plants near the fruits are blended and put into a shot glass to drink. Wheat grass shots have energy supplements, Vitamin D, proteins, and living enzymes that help the brain stay focused and alert throughout the day.
This super food has the nutrients of 3 ounces of leafy vegetables. Although it’s different from typical beverages offered at UIS, it can be just the breakthrough students need to get acclimated with different cultures. Even the employees love the different cultures and experiences at Grab N Go.
“This is my second day working here. I was surprised they had so many different foods. I was born here in America, but I’m Indian. It makes me want to learn more about my own culture.” Harish Krishna-Kumar, UIS senior, said.
Not only are the student workers excited, but also the Food Service administrators.
“Students of different ethnic background have asked for these products we sell,” Randy Williams, Food Service Administrator, said. “It’s a more diverse, natural, and nutritional food spot. We change the food and scenery seasonally. Different vendors are here once a week to bring in our foods. We felt it was better in Lincoln because people are walking to class and can easily grab something and keep going.”
American students visit the Grab N Go and buy the different foods more than the international students. Most students want to try out new things and integrate different cultures into their food choices.
“The food is interesting because it’s something I never had and it opens my mind to different cultural foods,” Jamie Anderson, UIS freshman, said as she ate her Chinese pineapple cake.
Even though there are other places to eat on campus, some students feel this new place is a hit. “I think this is awesome because it’s more of a variety. You don’t have to eat just at the PAC or the Grille,” said Ari Guzman, a UIS soccer player.
Diversity is something UIS thrives on and strives to help the whole campus understand. With the new housing and campus organizations centered toward international students, UIS is making it easier for the international students to feel right at home and LRH’s Grab N Go is another step toward diversity at UIS.
