Harvard Law School Student Government

Last week I met with Larry Harris, the manager of Restaurant Associates here at HLS, to share some of the feedback we’ve received from you via emails, the blog, and discussions with your Reps.  Here’s what I learned.

Regarding running out of tea, hot chocolate, soy milk, etc. at the free coffee stations.

• RA is aware of the problem and has taken steps lately to monitor this more closely and to try to ensure things do not run out.

• Providing fresh milk/cream is, unfortunately, not a viable option because, for health reasons, they can’t put out enough to last for any significant period of time.

People have asked for nutritional information to be posted at the Hark.

• RA currently has the “balance choice” information posted and improved vegetarian labeling.  Specifically, what nutritional information would people like to see available at the Hark?

Larry will see what he can do about getting Heinz ketchup instead of Hunt’s.

People have asked for non-dairy protein options like humus or peanut butter at the free bagel stations.

• Humus is not really available in pre-packed, individual portioned packages, and peanut butter, even in such individual portioned packages, presents allergy concerns to those allergic to nuts.

Food labeling concerns.

• RA has taken steps to improve the consistency of labeling vegetarian items.  Look for improvements in this area and speak up if you don’t see such improvement.

• Vegan labeling and ingredient labeling has been requested, and these are things RA would like to do, but are surprisingly more work intensive than one might think.  They are looking into trying to make it happen.

Vegetarian options.

• RA has a goal of always offering at least one vegetarian entree option.  Consistency on this should be improving.  Please let us know if you don’t see such improvement.

Some people have said that they feel the quality of the global station entrees (the serve yourself, rotating entree station) have declined under RA.

• This is of great concern to Larry, and he would love to here specific feedback from people on how.  What dishes are not up to par?  How are they not so?

Salad bar concerns.

• Someone requested small containers for togo packaging of salad dressings.  While this seems not super eco-friendly (my editorializing not RA’s), Larry will look into making this happen.

• Someone also said that, in there experience, the salad bar is not refilled throughout the serving period and that they run out of some items.  Larry said, this is certainly not their policy and he will look into it to make sure that is not happening.

On a more general note, it does seem that RA is working hard to make the food service here more appealing to us.  They make their own pizzas now, use olive and canola oil rather than butter whenever possible, and are very open to feedback.  Give us your feedback here or email Larry Harris directly (laharris@law.harvard.edu) and it will be implemented whenever possible.

As always, your feedback is welcome.

Brian