“I don’t feel like I have many healthy options on campus.”- UWM student Gina Parisi
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is now slightly more vegetarian friendly thanks to new dishes being offered by different campus eateries.
According to a survey conducted in 2006 by the Vegetarian Journal, 6.7 percent of adults ages 18 and older in the United States never eat meat, or consider themselves vegetarian. 1.4 percent claim to never eat meat, poultry, seafood, eggs or dairy products, labeling themselves as vegans.
Many students have felt that UWM was lacking in the department of dining options for vegetarians and vegans, pointing out that the majority of menu items appeal to people who eat meat.
“I know I can get salads at fast food places in the union,” said Gina Parisi, a 21-year-old UWM student and vegetarian. “But I don’t feel like I have many healthy options on campus.”
However, most campus eateries offer something for vegetarian students.
The Kenwood Inn provides its customers with a full vegetarian sandwich menu. Sandwiches include an artichoke melt, grilled cheese and tomato, grilled eggplant sandwich, portabella mushroom grill, American grilled cheese and more. If that isn’t enough, the Inn also offers a wide range of salads.
As far as vegetarian choices in the Union food court go, patrons can find meals scattered throughout the various fast food restaurants. Burger King, for example, offers a veggie burger for $1.99 and the veggie burger value meal is $4.15. Pacific Wraps suggests the Mediterranean Veggie wrap, which features marinated tofu, onions, bean sprouts and cucumber, while the Flour Shop has multiple salads and sushi.
The Gasthaus, located on the ground floor of the Union, also provides a fair selection of vegetarian entrees. Besides a selection of salads that can be ordered without chicken, they also recommend their veggie burger or grilled cheese panini to anyone who doesn’t want meat.
And finally, in addition to their Tofu Vegetarian Ciabatta, the Terrace Café now offers three different kinds of veggie burgers. For $5.49, customers can choose from deluxe veggie, cheesy veggie or an Italian veggie burger.