Food Co-Op: The Best Food On Campus, Hands Down

If you've heard that the Binghamton Food Co-op is for crunchy granola loving hippy environmentalists, put those preconceived notions beside. If you've heard nothing about the food co-op, that's because hidden in the basement of the old union – you're going to want to listen up and keep reading.

The food co-op is a place (the only place on campus) where Sodexo is not reining king. It is an iconic staple that has been a part of campus life since the 1970′s. You don't have to be an environmental major to eat here, you don't have to be a vegan; all you need is respect for good for your soul and your body wholesome food that tastes awesome.

Food Co-op

Photo by Marci Green

At the dining hall, meal time can feel like that scene in the movie Mean Girls where the mall turns into wild animals feeding at the water hole and fighting each other aggressively. At the co-op, an entirely different dining atmosphere has manifested. Communal table give sudents the opportunity to dine with anyone., sometimes professors, or random strangers who could be your new best friends.

Food Co-op

Photo by Marci Green

Run by students and student volunteers, the coop gives off a bit of a utopian vibe. Cashiers are not working for a company for the sake of making money; they are working because they believe in the coop's mission and want to support it. Behind the scene, the student chefs (and student volunteers) skillfully prepare food each morning; food that is flavorful while being low in sodium, preservatives, and all that other (for lack of a better word) crap that floods our dining halls.

Food Co-op

Photo by Marci Green

Each day Monday through Friday hot buffet lunch is served from 12 on. The menu has a funky flair whether it's silly titles or an ethnic theme. The coop will serve a protein dish (beans, tofu, tempeh), a starch (sometimes exotic grains you wouldn't buy and cook at home, sometimes potatoes or gluten-free pasta), always veggies and salad. To finish off the meal in bliss there are homemade desserts – gooey chocolate cakes, fresh baked cookies and steaming cups of fair-trade coffee. Find out what's on the menu here!

Food Co-op

Photo by Marci Green

When leaving the co-op after a lunch time meal, you'll feel rejuvenated. You'll have that good kind of full that you don't feel after cheese and grease at the food court. After the food co-op, you'll walk around campus and wonder how people don't know about this home cooking loving happening right under there feet.

Food Co-op

Photo by Marci Green

Eat a cupcake the right way by breaking off half the bottom and placing it on the frosting
Eat a cupcake the right way by breaking off half the bottom and placing it on the frosting
Photo by Kirby Barth
Make your chip bag stand up on itself by inverting the bottom and rolling it up a few times
Make your chip bag stand up on itself by inverting the bottom and rolling it up a few times
Photo by Marykate Surette
Put a straw through the tab on your soda to keep it from rising out
Put a straw through the tab on your soda to keep it from rising out
Photo by Marykate Surette
Put eggs in a bowl to see if they're fresh: eggs that sink are freshest. Don't eat eggs that float.
Put eggs in a bowl to see if they're fresh: eggs that sink are freshest. Don't eat eggs that float.
Photo by Parisa Soraya
Use oil to remove paint from skin
Use oil to remove paint from skin
Photo by Isabelle Chu
Eliminate garlic smell on your fingers by rubbing them with lemon juice, baking soda or stainless steel.
Eliminate garlic smell on your fingers by rubbing them with lemon juice, baking soda or stainless steel.
Photo by Kristen Yang
Freeze coffee in an ice tray to avoid watered-down iced coffee.
Freeze coffee in an ice tray to avoid watered-down iced coffee.
Photo by Kristen Yang
Cut soft cheeses with dental floss
Cut soft cheeses with dental floss
Photo by Kristen Yang
Use a hanger with clips to keep cookbooks open
Use a hanger with clips to keep cookbooks open
Photo by Isabelle Chu
Flip your toaster on its side to make easy grilled cheese
Flip your toaster on its side to make easy grilled cheese
Photo by Kirby Barth
Maximize ketchup cups by turning them inside out
Maximize ketchup cups by turning them inside out
Photo by Gabby Phi
To eliminate cooking odors, boil water with cinnamon
To eliminate cooking odors, boil water with cinnamon
Photo by Christin Urso
To chill wine in 6 minutes, place bottle in a bucket of ice, water and salt
To chill wine in 6 minutes, place bottle in a bucket of ice, water and salt
Photo by Christin Urso
Dunk an Oreo with ease by sticking a fork in the frosting
Dunk an Oreo with ease by sticking a fork in the frosting
Photo by Kirby Barth
Freeze ripe avocados to enjoy year round, even when they're not in season
Freeze ripe avocados to enjoy year round, even when they're not in season
Photo by Christin Urso
Keep bananas fresh longer by separating them and wrapping stem in plastic wrap
Keep bananas fresh longer by separating them and wrapping stem in plastic wrap
Photo by Kirby Barth
Make scrambled eggs in the microwave
Make scrambled eggs in the microwave
Photo by Kirby Barth
Use an onion ring to make the perfect fried egg
Use an onion ring to make the perfect fried egg
Photo by Kirby Barth
Take stems out of strawberries with a straw
Take stems out of strawberries with a straw
Photo by Kirby Barth
Binder clips keep kitchen sponges dry
Binder clips keep kitchen sponges dry
Photo by Kathleen Lee
Wooden spoon prevents pots from boiling over
Wooden spoon prevents pots from boiling over
Photo by Kathleen Lee
Microwave a sponge with dish soap to keep it smelling fresh
Microwave a sponge with dish soap to keep it smelling fresh
Photo by Kathleen Lee
Reheat pizza to perfection by microwaving it next to a glass of water
Reheat pizza to perfection by microwaving it next to a glass of water
Photo by Molly Krohe
Microwave two bowls at the same time by propping one up on a mug
Microwave two bowls at the same time by propping one up on a mug
Photo by Lily Allen

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