Issue date: 8/28/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Steve Berry

The Grab 'n' Go area in Center Court at the Morris University Center has expanded over the summer.

Home meal replacement is the technical name for this new addition of prepared entrees and side dishes available for purchase in the cafeteria. Students may buy the pre-made food and take it back to their dorm or apartment to microwave and save time by not having to prepare the food themselves.

The food is made especially for Grab 'n' Go and is frozen to preserve it, Morris University Center Director Mary Robinson said. The Grab 'n' Go was expanded to help meet the needs of students living in Evergreen and in Cougar, both of which have kitchen facilities.

"Many students have neither the time nor the inclination to cook," Robinson said. "I like to think of this as healthy meals in a flash."

The food is kept fresh by a process called flash freezing, which means the food is put into a machine called the "blast chiller" that freezes the food in a matter of seconds, Assistant Director of Dining Services Bill Canney said.

The difference between this food and the pre-made food available at stores is that this food is frozen so it will stay fresh longer than food that has just been refrigerated.

Lasagna, fettuccine alfredo, hot wings and soups are some of the many entrees available, and Canney said to check back each week for new additions. Heating instructions are available on each Grab 'n' Go item.

On Monday, Sept. 10, the first 100 people to purchase a Grab 'n' Go meal will receive a pocket thermometer to test the temperature of their meal to make sure it is fully heated. After this giveaway, the thermometers will be available for purchase.

The expanded area of Grab 'n' Go has taken the place of the soft-serve ice cream that was once offered. However, ice cream is available at Freshens. If you need to satisfy your sweet tooth and don't want ice cream, decorated cakes are available in the Grab 'n Go area.

First-year pharmacy student Kris Ochs said convenience is the best part of Grab 'n' Go.

"I like to get vegetables and a little thing of ranch at lunch, and I also like to get the oranges that are already peeled," Ochs said.

Ochs lives off campus now, but last year in Cougar the convenience of Grab 'n' Go made "eating healthy really easy."

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