Marketplace

Dining Services’ mission is to provide hospitality services that exceed the needs of our customers, through service and quality products, in an ethical and responsible manner, in support of the overall mission of the College.

Dining Services offers a variety of meal plan options to all students depending on their housing status. As stated in the Residency Policy, “all students are required to room and board in College residences.” All first year, first semester, students at Grinnell College are required to participate in the Full Meal Plan for the first semester. Other dining plan options available, based on housing location, are outlined on the Dining Service web site.

Respecting Others

In order to respect the rights and beliefs of all students, the Marketplace is considered “neutral ground” and is to be maintained free of political and/or social cause demonstrations, or dissemination of extraneous information.

Students are expected to be respectful of everyone and the policies of Dining Services. Abuse of the policies may result in disciplinary action.

Admission to the Marketplace

Students must present their Pioneer One-Card or “P-Card” (campus photo identification card) to redeem a meal from their dining plan. Dining plans are nontransferable. The Marketplace also accepts Dining Dollars or Campus Cash on account (P-Card must be presented), or cash. A lost or stolen P-Card should be reported immediately to the Pioneer One-Card Office (Dining Services) in the Joe Rosenfield ’25 Center. Replacement P-Cards are available from the Pioneer One-Card Office for a fee.

Marketplace Guests

The Marketplace welcomes guests of students without advance notice. Students may use their “guest meals” (included with some plans) or have their guests pay the cash meal price. Current rates are available in the Marketplace. Student meal plans are nontransferable with the exception of guest meals.

Alcohol in the Marketplace

No alcoholic beverages of any kind, in any container (sealed or not), may be brought into the Marketplace at any time by any person (legal age or not).

Dietary Accommodations

Students with dietary needs resulting from medical diagnoses can participate in Grinnell Dining’s program for students with medical dietary needs. Since it is impossible to individualize diets for the entire student body, we request that a licensed physician prescribe the dietary need. We will then make arrangements to meet dietary requirements as prescribed by the licensed physician. The College’s Student Health and Counseling Services and Dining Services are willing to discuss questions you may have.

Meals for Ill Students

Students who are confined to their room for a medical reason by the College’s Student Health and Counseling Services may request a meal appropriate for their illness through Student Health or their Residence Life Coordinator. Meals may be picked up and delivered by any student on a meal plan with an approved request and the proper identification.

Removal of Food from the Marketplace

The college dining program provides up to three meals per day, depending upon the option selected by the student. Because added costs are involved, food or serving ware cannot be taken from the Marketplace, with the exception of a single ice cream cone or piece of fruit. Abuse of this policy may result in disciplinary action.

Outdoor Marketplace Patio Dining

The outdoor patio dining area will be available for use during pleasant fall and spring weather. Students may access it through the doors in the Commons seating area in the Marketplace. Trays are to be taken back into the Marketplace to the tray return area after finishing the meal. As an extension of the dining hall, the policy regarding the removal of food from the Marketplace also applies to removal of food from the patio dining area.

Smoking

In compliance with the laws of the State of Iowa and Grinnell College policy, no smoking is allowed in any dining facility or seating area (including patio seating).

Food Fights

Throwing food and utensils in the Marketplace can be dangerous and is disrespectful to other diners. Dining Services will seek disciplinary action against any student observed throwing food or utensils in the Marketplace. Any damage or extra cleanup costs incurred are the responsibility of the participants involved and will be assessed above and beyond any disciplinary action taken.

Procedures for Boycotts

Dining Services attempts to cooperate when the Student Government Association wishes to boycott certain food items, with the following stipulations:

1. Dining Services will not boycott any one food item.
2. There must be an SGA referendum on any boycott. This referendum should include only students on meal plans.
   1. http://www.grinnell.edu/themes/garland/images/menu-leaf.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 1px 0.35em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">If a boycott results in the purchase of alternative foods at a higher cost, this issue must be included in the referendum. Further, it will be understood that Dining Services will limit expenditures on effected products to the weekly level that was being spent before the effective date of any boycott
   2. http://www.grinnell.edu/themes/garland/images/menu-leaf.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 1px 0.35em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">Dining Services will label the boycotted food and, when possible, provide an alternative food choice.
   3. http://www.grinnell.edu/themes/garland/images/menu-leaf.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 1px 0.35em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">In order for an alternative food to be offered, at least 20 percent of board students must vote in favor of the boycott. Percentage expenditures on boycotted and alternative food items initially will be governed by the percentage vote for the referendum. Thereafter, percentage             expenditures will be governed by the actual consumption levels.
   4. http://www.grinnell.edu/themes/garland/images/menu-leaf.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 1px 0.35em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">All boycotts will terminate at the school year’s end.
3. Individual students can choose whether to participate in the boycott.

FOG Fasts

Dining Services also supports two SGA-sponsored “fasts” each year, where students sign up in advance to miss (or fast from) a designated meal in the Marketplace, and Dining Services then donates the food cost associated with the missed meal to a pre-determined charitable organization. It is the choice of each individual student to decide whether or not to participate in a fast. SGA will determine the recipients of the fast’s proceeds.