By Manuel Garcia Sanchez
That place formerly called the cafeteria will not exist in the college for at least a year and a half. A vending machine invasion has occupied part of the lower floor of building C, and those machines will be here probably until 2003.
Since Aug. 13, Kutter's Tri-City Vending of Peru has provided candy, snacks, sandwiches and soft drinks through the machines and fresh pizza, subs, salads and sandwiches at lunch.
Kutter's personnel will be on campus every day selling fresh products and refilling the machines from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The company has provided eight microwaves and two changing machines.
"We are happy with Kutter's offerings," said Frank Papke, vice president of business services. "I think the vending machines have been working great so far."
Papke said the former company, the Department of Rehabilitation, stopped providing the cafeteria service in August because of competition from fast food restaurants along I-39 and because of renovation plans for building C.
Starting in January 2002, building C will be renovated, forcing the closing of the kitchen and cafeteria area for eight to nine months. Papke said the vending area will be moved to the tunnels, probably in buildings B and D, during that time.
The cafeteria had been catering food for special events on campus, but until the building C renovations are complete, groups will have to contract with local catering firms, Papke said.
Student clubs, organizations and teams can also provide food service by sponsoring cookouts as fund raisers. They can use the grill supplied by the college and located in the courtyard.