University of Mississippi Introduces Meal Swipes at Campus Food Trucks for Enhanced Student Dining Convenience

Students swiping meal cards at food truck

Meal Swipes Now Available at Food Trucks in Oxford

Oxford, Mississippi – In a move aimed at making dining more convenient for students, the University of Mississippi has announced that students can now use their meal swipes at food trucks on campus. With the start of the 2024-2025 school year approaching, this new option is set to improve food accessibility for students who often find themselves on the go.

New Payment Options for Students

On July 24, the official Ole Miss Dining Instagram account shared the exciting news. One meal swipe will now equate to $8.50 in cash at the food trucks, allowing students to enjoy a broader range of food choices without needing cash or debit cards. This decision came after several years of discussions about the logistics of implementing a reliable payment system for food trucks, according to Amy Anderson, the marketing manager for Ole Miss Dining Services.

“We faced challenges such as the need for a system that could handle payment processes effectively and ensuring that food trucks met certain standards,” Anderson explained. After partnering with Grubhub earlier this year, the university has been able to make these much-anticipated changes.

Positive Student Reactions

Many students have welcomed this new initiative and believe it will significantly enhance their dining experiences. Kamryn Reed, a junior studying southern studies, noted, “My friends and I always complained about running out of flex points while having so many unused meal swipes, so this is a great way to change that.”

Reed’s younger sister, Kristian Reed, an incoming freshman, expressed enthusiasm about the convenience the new option brings. “I heard the union can get busy, so being able to just grab food from the trucks will be really nice,” she said. “This will definitely make my transition easier.”

Menu Adjustments to Accommodate Changes

Caitlin Magnuson, the owner of Magnolia Coffee Co.’s food truck, has already adjusted her menu to align with the meal swipe option. “We are thrilled about this new change,” Magnuson shared. “We’ve made our offerings simple, so students can use one swipe for items like a latte or a quick snack, making it easy for them to enjoy a meal on the run.”

This new acceptance of meal swipes has also piqued the interest of students who typically do not eat at food trucks. Georgia Skelton, a freshman and soccer player, said she is eager to try the food trucks instead of eating at the typical locations around campus.

Changes Inside the Ole Miss Student Union

In addition to food trucks accepting meal swipes, there have been notable changes made within the Ole Miss Student Union. Chick-fil-A and McAlister’s are switching places, with Chick-fil-A moving to the second floor and McAlister’s taking a spot next to Panda Express on the first floor.

This switch is expected to address issues raised by students regarding menu limitations. Chip Burr, the Resident District Manager for Ole Miss Dining, stated, “This move allows us to expand the menu at Chick-fil-A and create a more spacious dining experience for students.”

Opinions on the switch vary among students. Mareleigh Rayner, a first-year law student, noted it could change McAlister’s experience and possibly lead to longer wait times. On the other hand, Maddie Cobb, a sophomore pharmacy major, felt that it might ease congestion in the Union. “Chick-fil-A moving should help clear the crowds below and make the whole dining experience better,” Cobb said.

Future Plans to Enhance Dining Experience

Ole Miss Dining Services is working on plans to further accommodate the growing student population, including extending dining hours, adding more seating, and increasing staff. “We’re taking steps to ensure everyone’s needs are met and that students enjoy their time dining on campus,” said Anderson.

With new options for using meal swipes at food trucks and changes within the Student Union, students can look forward to a more flexible and enjoyable dining experience at Ole Miss this school year.