Faculty of Land and Food Systems

It’s noon. All I have for lunch today is a can of soup – I need something more. I check my wallet: two toonies. What on earth could I buy for $4?? Not much these days, especially around the MacMillan building. I just want a sandwich or something. Sandwich? Of course! The Agora!

I run down the stairs to the basement of the MacMillan building, where the student-run Agora Café is. Today’s special: red pepper and mushroom quiche (and soup, though I only wanted the quiche). Will my 2 toonies be enough?! Why yes, with change to spare! As one student carefully warms up my quiche, I watch as another volunteer prepares soup, carefully checking the temperature of the soup. “These are nutrition students,” I think to myself, “they’re probably making sure all the food is cooked properly and safe to eat!”

Student behind me bought a soup and quiche combo (only $5.50!)

Back in the office, as I take the first bite of quiche, I already feel good that: 1) my lunch cost less than $4, 2) I know I’m eating healthy stuff, 3) I’m supporting our faculty’s own students, and 4) I’m supporting local and organic food producers, where Agora tries to buy most of its ingredients from. For example, the peppers and mushrooms from today’s quiche were purchased from local growers!

Here are some more tidbits that I discover about Agora:

- The present space was previously occupied by UBC Food Services, closed and then reopened in 2004 by Dietetics students, as a non-profit operation.

- Agora continues to be volunteer-driven and provides excellent opportunities for students in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems to apply what they learn from their courses about food safety, nutrition, food security and sustainable food production.

- Agora’s mission: to provide affordable, accessible, healthy, local and organic food choices to student and faculty while training volunteers in food service, preparation and management. This is done to promote the values of the Faculty of Land and Food Systems and to aid in UBC’s movement towards sustainability.

SO, If you’re tired of the usual expensive, greasy, mass-produced lunches, go on down to the basement of the MacMillan building! Your body – as well as the local farmers – will thank you for it!

Oh, and…as for the sandwiches…unfortunately, their uber delicious sandwiches are no longer available (but I hope they’ll be making a reappearance soon!!) For now, enjoy their hot lunches!

More info:

Agora Cafe featured in UBC Reports

Agora hours: Monday and Thursday 9:30am – 2:00pm; Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9:30am – 2:30pm