NEW ORLEANS (March 10, 2017) – Kearny station upgrades such as “Peak Performance” and “My Zone,” along with a vegan bar and Louisiana beef burgers, have apparently pleased some dining hall regulars, but Kearny management is still seeking input from diners.

Jasmine Barnes, marketing coordinator, is asking faculty, staff and students to complete a satisfaction survey online for feedback.

Kymbrea Valrey, a sophomore from Hayward, Calif., “When I walked into Kearny for the first time this semester, I honestly felt like I was at a different school’s cafeteria.”

Aundranaey Quizar, a sophomore from Donaldsonville, who said she eats in Kearny every day for each meal, said “I’m glad they finally listened to us. We’ve been asking for change for a while.”

The changes include:

• “My Zone,” a new station added to meet the needs of guests with celiac disease or food allergies. Barnes said the special area gives students “the ability to be involved in their own allergy-safe meal preparation and will always be gluten free, as well as tree-nut and peanut free.”
• The new “Peak Performance” station, which Barnes said is intended to “help each of us optimize our athletic and academic performance through proper food choices.” The station includes lean protein, freshly steamed vegetables and whole grains that are described as being “expertly seasoned and inventively expressed.”
• Other additions include a vegan bar, the addition of grilled chicken breast to the grill, hand-formed Louisiana beef burgers instead of pre-formed frozen patties, updates to the condiment bar updated, the addition to the pizza menu of shoestring pizzas and calzones, and new sandwich bar additions, such as Nutella.

Dwanta Ken, a sophomore commuter student from New Orleans, said, “I really like the Peak Performance station because I like to eat healthy, and this gives me options instead of having to piece together a healthy meal like I had to do in the previous semesters.”

Barnes said she frequently asked students last fall to fill out suggestion cards on changes they wanted to see. Now she is asking all faculty, staff and students to take a 5- to 10-minute survey online. To take the survey, go to http://vcil.cc/myoine.

Barnes said a second microwave for guest use will be coming to Kearny soon.