Your Dasher Has Arrived
Food delivery has made its way on campus and into students’ diets
Students meet their Dashers or UberEats drivers at the front or back of the school to pick up a variety of tasty goods.
Chick-fil-A, Shake Shack, Better Buzz. Is your mouth watering yet? With food catering services like DoorDash, Postmates, and Uber Eats, these fast food places have zoomed their way on campus. How and why has this delicious phenomenon made such an impact on students?
The popularity of food delivery services has been on the rise for quite some time. In 2018, market research company Frost & Sullivan estimated the food delivery industry to be worth $82 billion in terms of gross revenue bookings. They predict that this number will double in 2025. Students have also contributed to this increase. In a survey conducted by The Tower, 37 out of 102 respondents said that they have ordered food delivery to campus.
Why would you waste your money on healthy food? The whole point of ordering is to indulge. — Joy Udinsky ('24)
Of course, Bishop’s milk break, lunch, and advisory snacks provide food for students throughout the day. Although not explicitly banned by the Student Handbook, students oftentimes keep their orders on the down low due to some level of taboo associated with ordering. In fact, several students declined to be interviewed for this article. In light of a certain level of secrecy, why do students opt to make this choice?
Students commented on the convenience of being able to enjoy different snacks and cuisines during the school day. Grace Steinmeier (‘25) said that she’s noticed that people within her friend group use online ordering services all the time. “One of my friends uses [food delivery services] almost every single free period and gets Popeyes,” she said. Food preferences also chang
e according to the times of the year. As a matter of fact, according to Grace, students are ordering hot chocolates from Starbucks recently because of the chilly winter weather.
Chick-Fil-A is another fan-favorite delivery source when ordering midday treats. Hugo Avila-Marquez (‘25) agreed, saying that Chick-Fil-A is one of his go-to orders. Interestingly, students are more inclined to favor taste over nutrition when ordering food. “Why would you waste your money on healthy food?” Joy said, “the whole point of ordering is to indulge.”
In addition to the convenience of having a variety of tasty foods at your fingertips, many students expressed the value of being able to get their daily dose of caffeine through food delivery. “You don’t even have to leave campus and you get your coffee,” Joy Udinsky (‘24), who uses the platforms weekly, said. She says that easy access to these drinks allows her to stay alert and functioning throughout the day. She mainly uses the online option for caffeine, and one of her favorite places to order from is Better Buzz. This convenience for caffeine is also felt by Lily Gover (‘24): “Me and my friend use Postmates to get coffee,” she said.
“I use these services to order food when I can’t leave campus,” Grace said. When Grace was on crutches, food catering was essential to getting food after school. Food delivery services become especially convenient when there are physical limitations present surrounding staying on campus.
Leela “Wyatt” Wainio (‘24) said that they also order food using this method because of the convenience. “I can get pretty busy from school, and being able to order something nutritious and delicious is definitely a wonderful blessing from the modern-age, technological revolution,” they said.
Hugo also said that he usually uses these services when he gets hungry at times when the School is not providing food. “For example, before lunch or milk break,” he said. Joy also elaborated on the thinking that goes behind ordering food on campus. “You have to time it correctly,” explained Joy, “you have to time it so that it comes right during your free period.” With food delivery, students can order food that fits their dietary preferences. For example, since Grace is allergic to tomatoes, she orders food without tomatoes.
Yet, one concern associated with food delivery is the extra expenses. Students consider the cost of convenience in addition to the bill. Joy admitted that “door dashing is expensive,” joking that she and her friends use it “every time we can afford it.” “It has an impact on my bank account,” Joy said.
Despite the extra money, it’s clear that food catering has found a stronghold within the school environment. After all, your order is, literally, just a click away!
Summer is a junior and the Online Editor for The Tower. Previously, she was a story, content, and copy editor. This is her third year on staff and she’s...
