When I first started working at St. Cloud State University I didn’t eat in Garvey because I didn’t know the cost or the process.

I didn’t know where to easily access that information without going to Garvey and asking some questions. If I did that, I would have felt obligated to buy a meal even if I didn’t think it was of value for me. I just didn’t attempt it.

I’m someone who greatly enjoyed eating in the cafeteria during my undergraduate years. I went to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire for my undergraduate degree, which is why I never experienced Garvey as an undergraduate and was left wondering when I arrived to work on campus.

I didn’t eat in Garvey until last year when Chartwells, St. Cloud State’s dining service provider, began offering its $5 Friday lunch deal.

Most residential students are required to purchase a meal plan, but I think this was a genius way to introduce commuter students and university employees to Garvey. The offer continues this year. If you are a student or employee who hasn’t eaten in the cafeteria and want to give it a try, Fridays at lunch is a great option.

But I also want to equip you with some information that will help you get the most out of your Garvey experience.

Costs

First off, the costs. The costs are available on the Dine on Campus website if you do a little searching.

• Breakfast is $6
• Lunch $9
• Dinner $9.50

I work an 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. shift most days, so I’ve only dined at lunch.

I thought $9 sounded a little steep for lunch, and I like to bring my lunch most days to save money. Then I grabbed a value meal at McDonald’s during winter break and it came out to $9.11 with tax, so balancing that with the all-you-can-eat buffet-style variety and nutritional options available in Garvey, I do now see the value.

Garvey Commons Dining Hours

• Breakfast is 7-11 a.m. (Continental 10-11 a.m.)
• Lunch is served 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (the Friday lunch special is available 11 a.m.-2 p.m.)
• Dinner is 5-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday.

Garvey closes early on Friday evenings at 7 p.m. and hours also vary on the weekend and when campus is closed for holidays, weather or breaks.

Ways to pay

There are three main ways to pay for your Garvey meals. You can pay by:

• Cash or credit card
• Blizzard Bucks
• Meal plan

Cash or credit card is self-explanatory. You pay the going rate plus tax. Buying Blizzard Bucks or a voluntary or employee meal plan are a good option that can give you added value, if you plan ahead and aren’t close to graduation, transferring or changing jobs or retiring. Both options never expire. Students buying a meal plan through dining services do not need to pay taxes on meals they eat on campus.

Meal plan options are the same for both non-residential students, called voluntary meal plans, and university employees. Employees have the option to purchase a meal plan using payroll deduction, which I haven’t tried myself.

According to Chartwells’ Dine on Campus website, they range from 25 meals and $50 Blizzard Bucks at $279 to 90 meals and $300 Blizzard Bucks at $1,060.

By my calculations, the 25-meal plan really only makes sense if you’ll be eating the meals as dinners, if you purchase them as lunch, you actually come out at a loss of $4 at that level, although you will still be saving on taxes if you are a student.

The higher-level meal options put you ahead with savings of $1 at 45 meals up to $50 at the 90-meal plan, pre-tax.

My payment choice

I find that the Blizzard Bucks are the better option for me, however. You can buy your Blizzard Bucks in blocks of $50, $150 or $300 and earn a bonus of $5-$60 depending on what level you are purchasing. Blizzard Bucks are also accepted at all the other on-campus dining locations and at the M store in Atwood Memorial Center. I appreciate this variety because it gives me the option to sit down in Garvey or grab something and go.

Residential plans available

Since I never lived on campus, I can’t give advice as to which plan I’d recommend for residential students. I can share that Chartwells also offers a variety of meal plans for residential students and offers extra bonus options such as premium nights and guest passes. Residential plans can be billed to your student account.