Moscow Co-op caters to dietary restrictions

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Transitioning into college life can be difficult. For those with dietary restrictions, finding resources to help structure a balanced diet can be challenging when new to campus.

It can be a struggle to find those hubs that cater to specific diets, like searching for great vegetarian options when we don’t know where to look, especially in a new area.

At the University of Idaho, Vandal Dining offers many locations to choose from when deciding where to eat. In these locations, menu items can be substituted to cater to restrictions.

The Hub, with its cafeteria-style dining, offers vegetarian as well as vegan options. At Qdoba, meat can be completely substituted, and the meal can be customized.

There are many opportunities to explore different menu options around campus. With so many locations at UI, it can be hard to choose which to eat at.

One of the most notable locations in Moscow is the Moscow Food Co-op, but unknown to many is its smaller location on campus.

Located across Hello Walk, the Co-op offers coffee, baked goods, personal care items, groceries and meals.

The Moscow Food Co-op has been on campus for its second, going on third year Ethan Coy, campus lead at Moscow Food Co-op said. And they are always looking for better ways to serve students and the community.  

It is important to support everyone’s diets. Which is something that the Moscow Food Co-op does.

“It is a great opportunity to support other students who are eating alternative,” Coy said.

Not just for vegetarians but for those who aren’t able to eat dairy or gluten, the Co-Op offers options too. For those who want to be more ethical or support local grocers, the Co-op is a great option, Coy said.

The Moscow Food Co-op offers a wide variety of vegetarian and vegan options.

Their options include:

Snacks:

• Ginger bars
• Kind bars
• Fruit leathers
• Peanut butter pouches
• Protein pucks,
• Hippeas (chickpea puffs)
• Oatmeal
• Cashew yogurt
• Pita chips
• Meatless jerky
• Pretzels
• Popcorn
• Rice crackers

Drinks:

• Soda
• Lemonade  
• Juice
• Energy drinks
• Kombucha
• Protein shakes
• Fruit smoothies
• Alternative milks
• Tea

Meals:

• Prepared sandwiches
• Salads
•  Evol frozen breakfasts
• Amy’s breakfast and lunch burritos
• Hot pouches
• Ramen
• Fried noodles
• Teriyaki noodle bowls
• Pilaf.

Sweets:

• Dairy-free ice cream/bars
• Plant-based cookies
• Candy gummies

Moscow Food Co-op wants to cater to those who are eating alternatively.  

“The owner that was managing this before me was vegetarian and vegan, so she catered largely to her tastes as well,” Coy said. “She had expert opinion so that is the majority of the food here.”

They welcome anyone with any need to the Co-op

“One of our mottos is our doors are open for everyone,” Marketing Manager of Moscow Food Co-op, Steve Corda said.

This allows the Moscow Food Co-op to have a great environment for anyone wanting to come in.

Emily Pearce can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @Emily_A_Pearce