Clemson Dining has recently announced that there are some new arrivals to the P.O.D. Markets across campus that could change the campus convenience game entirely.
“Sushi, poke bowls, various boba drinks and more” have arrived at Cooper Library, Daniel Hall, Brackett Hall and the Village Market, or as I know it: the Douthit P.O.D. Market.
I can see how there could be some mixed reviews hearing this. Sushi and poke in the equivalent of a student gas station? Sounds like a crazy idea; I mean, most people won’t eat airport sushi, let alone sushi at a gas station. We are not in a Japanese 7-Eleven, so it would be crazy to have rice, seafood and perishable items right there, right? If I hadn’t heard about it in advance, and hadn’t had time to marinate with the idea, I would totally think the same thing. But that isn’t the case.
Having had time to wrap my head around this new development, I have realized this is actually a really good idea.
P.O.D. Markets already offer some cool options that vary from P.O.D to P.O.D. Brackett Hall has a lot of snack cups, hummus and cheese-type items. In Cooper Library, you can find just about anything for a microwave, as well as pre-made sandwiches. Daniel Hall even offers ice cream from the ’55 Exchange. Not to mention, you can get just about anything at the Village Market.
This is a great win for students with dietary restrictions. Rice, seaweed, some veggies and safe-to-eat fish are pretty much the most inclusive food you can offer for people who might not be able to eat most things at a P.O.D. Market. I personally have dairy and gluten dietary restrictions, which cuts out a majority of foods I can eat when I’m hungry on campus if I don’t have meal swipes for the dining halls.
This is also an inclusive choice that shows some market research. Asian food has been rapidly growing in the markets, which Kitchen Rebel says is due to flavor expansion, an increase in diverse CEOs and diversity in career spaces, as well as the influence of “Asian cooking shows and food documentaries.” Additionally, Pew Research Center reports that 12% of restaurants in the United States serve Asian food.
To combat the worry of quality or the question of origin, based on the photos displayed on Clemson Dining’s Instagram announcement, the new additions look to be the same brand of sushi and dumplings that many grocery stores would use. Hissho sushi is found at most campus dining halls already, so it’s incredibly smart to bring it to the P.O.D. Markets too for more students’ convenience.
It also says something about the quality of the food. While the sushi isn’t going to be handmade by a chef right in front of you and is technically convenience food, if it’s sold at most major grocers, it’s perfectly edible.
This announcement is a long-awaited, diverse option for the P.O.D Markets and a step to a greater and increasingly global selection that is available for more students.
Sarah Bandhauer is a sophomore food science major from Brevard, North Carolina. Sarah can be reached at [email protected].
