There is no specific labeling or federal regulation for the word "vegetarianism" in the United States. According to Geraldine June of the Office of Nutritional Products, Labeling and Dietary Supplements at the Food and Drug Administration, vegetarian companies advocate and educate people about vegetarianism. But students at the University of Massachusetts enjoy the fruits of their labor in a growing trend at Earth Foods Café.
Earth Foods not only provides a source of affordable, healthy meal alternatives, but is also using its funds to give back to the community while giving students experience in running a business.
"We use fresh produce and everything is made from scratch. A few of the favorites are macaroni and cheese, maple ginger tofu and tofu pot pie," said Jamie L. St. Jean, a BDIC Holistic Health and Society major and co-manager of Earth Foods.
While collegians debate what constitutes as vegetarianism, Earth Foods redefines college survival food with an escape from trans-fatty, deep-fried animals and pepperoni pizza. The café offers a fresh approach to eating healthy and fighting the "Freshman 15" and serves new solutions to eating a balanced meal.
"It's a nice atmosphere and a beautiful place to hang out. You don't have to be a vegetarian to eat here. I'm not," said co-manager John A. Sivel.
The café also gives students a taste of running a business. Employees at Earth Foods enjoy a piece of the action, in a co-management collective run business that has been working on campus since 1976. Each student employee is a co-owner of Earth Foods; they learn how to prepare, cook, balance the books, serve new innovative vegetarian meals and enhance some of the classic favorites.
"It's inexpensive for the quality of food. I would recommend a diet low in fat, high in vegetables, but one does not necessarily have to be a vegetarian to lose weight," said St. Jean.
Eating a vegetarian diet can cut cholesterol. Only animal products like dairy and eggs contain cholesterol. Vegetable products do not contain cholesterol.
St. Jean showed the soybean margarine they use at Earth Foods. It had no hydrogenated oil, no trans fatty acids and good HDL cholesterol.
Traditionally, vegetarians do not eat meat, fish or poultry. Vegans are highly disciplined vegetarians that do not eat or use animal products, which include milk, cheese, eggs, wool and leather.
Earth Foods answers the question, what about protein? Through a combination of alternate sources of proteins can be met with a vegetarian diet. A mixture of proteins daily can provide enough essential amino acids, according to "Position of the American Dietetic Association: Vegetarian Diets" JADA, June 2003.
The ADA confirmed that all known nutritional needs can be met with a vegetarian diet. A healthy vegetarian diet includes eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, whole grain products, nuts, seeds and legumes.
Common protein sources served up at this café includes beans, lentils, tempen, chickpeas and peas. Iron can found in dried fruits, baked potatoes, mushrooms, cashews, dried beans, spinach, chard, tofu, tempeh and bulgur.
Meals on the menu include veggie lasagna and gingerbread, tofu pot pie and oatmeal surprise cookies, pasta with walnut ricotta sauce and cornbread, Mexican corn bean pie and lemon squares and tofu nut burgers and coconut bars.
"We don't open a bunch of cans and dump it into a bowl. It's all fresh, clean, prepared each day with care. We take the time to taste everything," said Sivel.
"It's all homemade. I like that it is a collectively run business. I have the power to interact with members serving food made with love," said co-worker Zachary A. Grey.
A few paychecks ago, Earth Foods Café managers chipped in half their tips amounting to over $400. They donated it to Grassroots Community Development program that assisted people in New Orleans. They understood by dishing out a few dollars, they could help others sustain a normal life in the wake of uprooting of Hurricane Katrina.
"We are trying to spend time on ecological issues. We try to buy local products that support local farmers. We use many USDA organic products that does not negatively impact the environment and supports the soil," said Sivel, chef at Earth Foods.
Earth Foods Café continues to grow its legacy at UMass as a student run establishment that cares about the environment and the student body.
Felicia Whatley can be reached at destinyfel@email.com.
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