The Fox Den has always been a hub of student life. It is a place to socialize, do homework and, most importantly, enjoy snacks and drinks.
To preserve the spirit of the Fox Den, the cafe should not stock more nutritious food and beverage options than it already has.
Currently, most Fox Den items are chips, candy, baked goods and drinks, though there are also healthier choices like protein bars, shakes and peanuts.
While those nutritious options are available, most students still prefer baked goods or chips. Even if the Fox Den added more nutritious items, such as carrots and hummus, there is no guarantee students would buy them instead of the usual snacks.
When asked if the Fox Den should carry healthier options, sophomore Maggie Kendall said, “While it would be appreciated, I don’t think it’s necessary because the cafeteria already has nutritious options that you can take advantage of.”
As Kendall pointed out, the cafeteria and the Fox Den serve different purposes in the community.
The cafeteria offers a wide selection of healthy foods, with fresh salads and soups every day.
These choices already provide nutritious options for students who want them. In contrast, the Fox Den is meant to be a casual cafe where students can relax and unwind.
“The Fox Den is a place to relax, and when you’re relaxed, you don’t want to be concerned about what you’re eating,” sophomore Norah Chang said. “Especially after school, when the only thing you want to eat is a muffin or comfort food.”
Additionally, adding more healthy foods and drinks would be a significant cost for the Fox Den. Healthier products are more expensive and often require refrigeration.
That means purchasing more refrigerators and paying for extra maintenance and cleaning.
Since the cafeteria already provides healthy snacks, there is little benefit to investing more money in nutritious foods that students may not buy.
“I think that ‘healthy’ is whatever it takes to feel good in school,” Kendall added. “Some people need a pick-me-up or mood booster, which the Fox Den offers. That’s why the Fox Den has a good food selection.”
This is not to say that the Fox Den should only sell unhealthy foods — it just should not invest more money or effort into adding healthier items when nutritious snacks are already available in the cafeteria.
A student’s diet is only as healthy as their own choices, so expanding the menu will not necessarily make students eat better.
