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Saturday, July 26, 2025

Survey: Meal Exchange receives mixed reviews

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Students can now use meal swipes to get meals from the P.O.D. in Lancer Park and Greens to Go in the Student Union.

In an effort to allow students to use meal plan swipes for more options other than Dorrill Dining Hall, Longwood University piloted its meal exchange program in the fall of 2017.

The swipes may be used at Outta Here in the basement of Dorrill Dining Hall, Greens to Go in the Lankford Student Union or the P.O.D. Market in Lancer Park, according to Grant Avent, the general manager for dining services. Under the program, there are three options at both locations.

The Rotunda recently conducted a small, non-scientific survey, and questioned 89 students on their opinions and usage of the program.

According to the survey, 42.7 percent of students use the program frequently, defined as three to four times a week. Another 30.3 percent do so very frequently, defined as five to seven times a week. The remaining 27 percent do so rarely to never, defined as zero to two times a week.

Additionally, the survey asked students their opinion on the options available. The average rating of the options available among those surveyed was 2.41 out of five. The most common rating was a three out of five, with 40.4 percent of students. An additional 19.1 percent rated the options a four, while 25.8 percent of students rated the options a two. The remaining 14.6 percent of students rated the options a one.

Sophomore Katie Kline rated the options a four.

“I think it's awesome that Greens to Go takes meal swipes now,” Kline said. “It makes it super quick and easy to grab a meal if I don't want to eat at D Hall.”

Freshmen Crystal Rosenbaum and Junior Judy May stated they would prefer more options.

“Add more vegetarian options and fresher fruits and vegetables,” Rosenbaum said.

A lunch or dinner at the dining hall without a meal plan is currently $8.50, according to the Dorrill Dining Hall website.

“Options could include the other options within the Stu, more options within the P.O.D., and also select options at Chick-fil-a and Moe’s (Southwest Grill),” May said. “I wish I could use this fun new opportunity more, but I do not enjoy the meals that are included. I'm not sure why the salads could not include that (are the) customized ones. I do not like the salads included, so I've only done the meal exchange twice.”

May also brought up the lack of options at Longwood Village.

“Please bring some sort of food option to the village. We are required to buy a meal plan, yet we have no food in the vicinity that uses the plan.” May said. “Even a convenience store in the clubhouse would be so great. But it is so unfair that we're required to purchase this without any options closer than a ten minute drive.”

The survey also inquired about the technical aspect of the swipes. Only 11.2 percent of those surveyed said they had logistical issues with the meal exchange.

“My card had to be reset and it took over 20 minutes, I wouldn't have waited but they took my ID so I couldn't leave,” said Senior Kelsi Forehand commented.

The survey also inquired if the program should continue, to which 85.4 percent of students said yes and 14.6 percent said no.

Overall satisfaction ratings averaged 3.05 out of five.

“I think that there are many students who love it,” May said. “I also think there are many students who wish that they could use it, but don't enjoy the options included.”

Junior Taylor Titi voiced additional concerns about the meal periods.

“There should not be meal periods,” Titi stated. “I pay nearly $1,800 on meal swipes. I should be able to use them how often and how many times I want during a day.”

Continue to follow The Rotunda for more updates.

Students can now use meal swipes to get meals from the P.O.D. in Lancer Park and Greens to Go in the Student Union.



Students can now use meal swipes to get meals from the P.O.D. in Lancer Park and Greens to Go in the Student Union.