How is Aden Faring at AISG? Let’s See What the Students Think.

At the beginning of this year, AISG changed its food provider from Sodexo to Aden. Just like its predecessor, Aden provides the school with cafeteria lunch and runs the newly renamed Oxygen Cafe in D-Block. In comparison to the near-notorious Sodexo, how popular is Aden with AISG’s students? Is it the vendor students dreamed of, or has it been yet another catering disappointment?

The Cafeteria

Most students agree that Aden provides more cafeteria food options. Junior Richard W. believes that Aden’s cafeteria provides a good variety of food compared to Sodexo, which only gave each student one dish option.  However, more detail-focused seniors, Jami R. and Sheila W., think that there isn’t enough variety within the pasta and rice options offered, because the same sauces are used multiple days in a week.

Interestingly, all of the interviewees had the same unprompted opinions about the snack that comes with the lunch: as junior Amy Y. says, “Aden should switch up the drinks” and allow students to take more than one “dessert” so they don’t have to choose between a yogurt, a banana or a cake.

Compared to Sodexo, Aden is a little more outspoken about sustainability. Sheila W. notes that Aden’s portions are significantly smaller than Sodexo’s, which could be a way of decreasing food waste (since second helpings are still available).

Additionally, the line to get a takeout box is separate from the normal line, a design meant to disincentivize students from getting a box whenever possible. There were many complaints about the inconvenience at the beginning of the year, but Amy Y. says “it’s okay now that we are used to it.” However, Jami R. believes that this setup is not a strong disincentive for getting a box: she normally needs takeout to attend meetings, she says, and is “not going to decide to not use a box because it’s five meters away.” Instead, Jami R. and Sheila W. think it would be more effective to reward those who bring their own reusable box or to set up locations to recycle Aden lunch boxes.

The Cafe

Talking about the Oxygen Cafe in comparison to Sodexo’s cafe, senior Isadora B. says: “I think it is literally the same.” This is a sentiment shared by all the interviewees and members of the community. It makes sense, as the Oxygen cafe hires the same people that Sodexo used to, and they sell similar products.

Though it is not part of the official routine of the school day, the cafe seems to be very important to students, so they have quite a lot of complaints.

Sheila W. feels especially strongly about the running of the cafe. She is dissatisfied with the lack of variety of products and new products: “they used to experiment and try new things,” she says. Because the Cafe has a much more limited menu than the cafeteria, interviewees were quick to point out specific problems with variety and taste: Jami R. says the brownies are too dry, and Isadora B. says that the cakes are too processed (instead of freshly-baked) and there should be more salty food or bread options to serve as an alternative to cafeteria lunch.

Sheila W. also describes her frustration with how the cafe is run: she says, “they always charge for the wrong item or make the wrong one. It’s frustrating when you have to get to class quickly.” Sheila also notes how, with the new schedule, there is less time in the morning for students to grab breakfast, but Oxygen Cafe is not prepared to sell in the morning. Richard W. shares a similar view on this final point, describing how food and drinks often run out quickly at the cafe. 

Overall

From these interviews, it seems that Aden is not necessarily a well-loved caterer. But compared to Sodexo,  with its tales of nails, strings, and pink spaghetti lunches, Aden seems to be faring a little better.

Let us know below if you have any input on Aden catering or an experience you’d like to share!