New program gives Saint Mary's students incentive to eat locally

The program, called "Gael Flex," lets students and staff use their campus ID cards to buy food at a handful of Moraga eateries, plus one in Walnut Creek.

It's the latest in a series of efforts aimed at better integrating the Saint Mary's community -- and the purchasing power of its thousands of students, faculty and staff members -- with the community at large.

"Saint Mary's is part of Moraga, and what we're trying to do is share some of our revenue with local vendors," said Matt Carroll, the college's general manager for food services.

The program, still in a pilot phase, began in September. Saint Mary's students who purchase a meal plan get "flex dollars" automatically loaded onto their ID card. Students without meal plans, as well as faculty and staff members, can also purchase flex dollars.

The money has always been available to use at the campus coffee shop or athletics concession stands, but Carroll admits those options are limited.

The new program gives students more choices.

Of about $140,000 in flex-dollar money purchased this school year, 25 percent has been spent off campus, he said.

"It does take revenue from our food service, but the overall picture of customer satisfaction, student retention and bringing the community together outweighs the revenue we're losing," Carroll said.

Michael Montati, a senior and student body vice president, said he uses the program about once a week, and has plenty of friends also taking advantage of the added convenience.

"I think there's a feeling that there's a lack of stuff to do for students in Moraga, and this is just an incentive to get out and interact in the community, and I think that's been positive," he said.

The program is convenient for cash-strapped college students, said junior Mercedes Alejandro, who wants to see it expanded to include more vegetarian options, a sushi restaurant and a coffee shop.

Most participating restaurants call Gael Flex a success.

Pennini's restaurant has seen a jump in student diners since the program launched, said owner Pat Valrey. Whenever a basketball game is televised, he offers pizza and beer specials, which students have been paying for with their ID cards.

"It's brought in a lot of the students that I don't think would normally come in, and it's not a burden at all," said Denise Mamz, manager of Loard's Ice Cream. "It's not a problem to have that extra machine" that reads the ID cards.

Things are different, however, at Terzetto Cuisine, where owner Roos Pal says student customers have been a rare sight.

"I thought I would (get) at least five to 10 a day. We sometimes have two a week," she said. "I would not say it's really working."

There has not been a surge in students purchasing additional flex dollars, but that may be because they have not run out yet, Carroll said.

Only five vendors are currently on board -- Mountain Mike's Pizza and Chipotle in Walnut Creek are the others -- but Carroll said if the program continues to be grow, it could be expanded to as many as 15.