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NewsvineA rekindled spirit for football is not the only new attraction at the Stanford Stadium these days. Instead of fumbling through pockets for loose change to pay for high-priced concessions, enthusiastic fans can now purchase food at football games with a swipe of their ID cards.
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The new program from Stanford Dining comes after years of feedback from students who wanted to apply their meal plans at the stadium.
“What we offered in the past were sack lunches or late plates,” said Rafi Taherian, executive director of Stanford Dining, in an email to The Daily. “However, what students were asking for was to be able to have the stadium experience of concession food.”
Dining could not accommodate students’ requests in past years because of what Taherian called “significant operational challenges, technology impediments, meal plan restrictions and, finally, costs.”
But this year Dining finally gave the idea a chance.
“As a result of New Student Orientation (NSO) planning and Dean Julie’s enthusiastic idea to create a freshman Stanford Football experience, we planned one of the NSO events at the first game,” Taherian said, “and it was a success.
“The event was heavily participated in by students, and it was the first time the stadium felt so alive,” he added. “There was so much energy and excitement that everyone, including the players, could feel it.”
Taherian noted that purchasing food on meal plans at the first game was only a trial, but its success called for an extension of the program.
Despite the enthusiastic response to the new meal plan option, the closing of dining halls during the first game prompted concern from some students.
“I don’t know why they would close dining halls,” said Kesav Raghavan ‘11. “Not everyone goes to the game.”
However, Dining representatives assured students that facilities would not close for football games in the future.
“We closed the first day as an incentive for new students to attend the game,” said Terry Nahavandi, general manager of Wilbur Dining. “Also, many upperclassmen were not on campus yet, so the dining halls would be fairly empty.”
“It is our hope that this program will contribute to increasing student attendance at football games,” Taherian added, “but the concession meal is only an additional service that is being provided to students on the meal plan.”
Dining has also taken steps to ensure that the food offered at the games is “concession-style,” as requested by students. Menu options include hot dogs, burgers, French fries, pizza, sodas and vegetarian alternatives.
“I ordered a veggie burger,” said Raghavan, a vegetarian. “I guess if there are only a couple of meat options, then two vegetarian options are fine.”
Overall, Dining called the program a success at the early home games.
“Ultimately this is a student-driven initiative on which many people have worked extremely hard,” Taherian said. “So far we have had a very positive response, with students arriving early to games, sitting with their friends and having an overall great Stanford football experience.”