At Princeton, all first- and second-year students are enrolled in the unlimited dining plan. This plan gives students unlimited swipes to enter into any of the dining halls on campus, as well as a daily allotted $9 allowance for “late meal” at Frist Campus Center. As upperclassmen, however, students may choose to sign up for a meal plan, join an eating club or go independent, meaning students are responsible for cooking their own meals. As an independent student, you may also join one of several dining co-operatives (“co-ops” for short) on campus.
Each of Princeton’s five co-ops has its own menu specialties. For example, 2D is all-vegetarian and International Food Co-Op specializes in—you guessed it—international cuisines. Although various dorm halls have public kitchens for all students to use, each co-op has its own private kitchen and dining space that every member has 24/7 access to. Every co-op varies in its structure and duties, but members can generally expect to have one cook-shift per week during which they cook alongside two to four other students, as well as one chore per week.
I joined Brown Co-Op this year, and it has been one of the best decisions I have made while at Princeton. The co-op serves dinner every night of the week and brunch on the weekends. At each meal, there are both meat and vegetarian options, various sides, and typically some sort of dessert. Another huge plus is that there are always leftovers available for lunch the next day. I help cook dinners on Sundays, help with the clean-up after our cook-shift, and am responsible for unloading and putting away our grocery deliveries every Wednesday morning. Our pantry and several fridges are always stocked with fresh produce, dairy products, breads, and really anything you might need for an impromptu meal at two in the morning.
Lately, I have gotten into the habit of baking every Friday night with my friend, Anki. Every Friday after dinner, we’ll assemble all of the ingredients and materials necessary for whatever recipe we have decided on. One time, this involved us going on a hunt for walnuts and dark chocolate bars, ultimately finding them at the nearby CVS. Our baking ritual gives us a space to unwind from our stressful weeks.
Joining a co-op can offer students greater flexibility in their schedules, and can be a much more budget-friendly option when compared to other dining alternatives. For me and my own dietary needs, going independent was the best option as I knew I’d have more control over what exactly I was eating at each meal. With how busy Princeton life can be, though, the co-op provides the best of both worlds, as we all share many of the responsibilities associated with cooking and cleaning. I love making myself breakfast and lunch each day—cooking provides me with a grounded moment of normalcy amongst the rest of my busy schedule, and it’s something I always look forward to. Best of all, Brown has given me a warm community of people brought together by our mutual love for food and cooking, and I would not want to have it any other way.
