Since the Coronavirus pandemic began wreaking havoc on the nation, Cornell Dining’s food offerings have declined immensely in quality. To draw attention to this concern, one individual, who has requested to stay anonymous, started an influential Instagram page, @cornellfoodtrash, which has amassed over 500 followers to date, and posts images of the poorest food that Cornell Dining has offered to students. The founder of @cornellfoodtrash has agreed to this exclusive interview with me, where he discusses what made him start the page and the reforms he hopes to see in the near future.
Me: So, first things first, what made you start this Instagram page?
[Redacted]: I first started taking pictures of my food first semester and sending it to my parents, because they refused to believe how bad it was. My mom went to Cornell and maintained that the food was very good, which was my experience as well when I went to Risley after a tour of the campus before I was admitted. However, upon arriving to campus, I immediately realized that the food was terrible. I was hearing from my friends that the food was awful as well, and decided to start this page so that students could submit pictures of subpar Cornell food.
Me: So, how do you feel that the page has been doing so far?
[Redacted]: I feel that the page is doing great. I have over 20 backlogged submissions right now, and am gaining followers by the day. Alumni regularly comment on my posts and mention how they can’t believe how bad Cornell food has gotten, especially after they donated money on giving day. Even the official Cornell Dining account DM’d me, and wanted to “have a meaningful conversation” with me. However, I raised concerns because they were asking for my netID and I wished to remain anonymous to avoid drawing anger from Cornell Dining Workers, or even possibly getting in trouble. After I raised these concerns, however, the page ignored me, which makes it seem to me as though they have no interest in improving the quality of the food, but rather have an agenda against me personally.
Me: That seems like a bad move on Cornell Dining’s part. How have other students responded to the page, and has anyone in a position of leadership reached out to you?
[Redacted]: Students have been extremely enthusiastic. A lot of vegetarians, especially, really appreciate my page because they have very few options on campus. Even as a non-vegetarian myself, there have been times where me and my friends have waited in line for 30 minutes, just to be told that they’re out of food when it’s our turn. Overall, students overwhelmingly support the concerns I’ve raised, and this is reflected by the fact that I have so many submissions daily. Regarding the people who have control over the whole thing, I would always tag the executive director of Cornell Dining in my posts, but he just ended up blocking me. Apparently he doesn’t want to take accountability for the poor food that he is serving to Cornell students.
Me: Your page certainly seems to be amassing a large following. But if people with authority are unwilling to listen, what do you think is the way forward from here? How do you hope to make change happen?
[Redacted]: I hope to make change happen through the pictures students send to me, and also through alumni backlash. Cornell food is quite literally unacceptable, as I’ve personally found plastic and hair in my food, and one of my submissions was a student who found the saran wrap still in his lasagna. I know of students who’ve gotten food poisoning from undercooked meat as well, and I think when it gets this bad, the administration has to listen.
Me: How feasible do you think change is, how soon do you think it’ll happen, and do you think people are listening? Has there been any improvement since you started your page?
[Redacted]: I think change is totally feasible. I mean, if you look at Appel, they have so many different stations for food that are being unused, and I feel like we could provide more options by using those stations. When it comes to progress, I don’t think that the quality of the food has improved, because I feel like the administration is trying their hardest to turn a blind eye. Cornell Dining refused to talk to me in a manner that wouldn’t reveal my identity, which makes me think that they’re more interested in silencing me than they are in providing acceptable food to our students.
Me: That certainly sounds concerning, but I’m trying to figure out where we go from here. If the administration isn’t listening right now, when your page is growing quickly, at what point do you think they will listen?
[Redacted]: I think the only way they’ll listen is if alumni get involved and refuse to donate unless there are improvements in food quality.
Me: Aside from alumni, what can students do to try to improve the quality of food on campus?
[Redacted]: I think they should all DM the Cornell Dining Instagram account and let them know what they think of the food. They should let them know about their personal experiences. One of the things that personally struck me last semester is when I went to Appel with my friends, and we took one bite of the food, looked at each other, threw out the food, and decided to go to Louie’s instead. This shouldn’t be the case at a school who’s Dining motto is literally “towering above the rest.” The only thing they’re “towering above” is hungry students. I personally have the unlimited meal plan because when I visited before school started, the food was good, and I heard from many people to the food was good. I’ve since dropped to the basic meal plan because I’d rather microwave Kraft Mac and Cheese or Ramen Noodles as opposed to going to any of Cornell’s dining halls.
Me: I totally agree with you, as I’ve had similar experiences with Cornell Dining. I hope what you’re doing eventually sparks change, and improves the quality of food for all Cornellians. I want to thank you so much for your time for coming here and talking to me, but before you go, do you have any last comments?
[Redacted]: I’m hungry, but I don’t want to go to the dining hall.
Me: I feel the same way. Thanks so much for agreeing to this interview, and I hope we see some improvement shortly.
