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6.1 How many meals per week are there?
Seventeen (17) meals are prepared at the house each week. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served on weekdays from 7:00 am to 8:30 am, from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm, and 6:00 to 6:30 pm, respectively. In addition, a "brunch" is served from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm on weekends.
6.2 Who prepares the meals and organizes the menu?
Members of Laurel House prepare the meals based on menus which they plan for themselves, in cooperation with the food buyer and menu planner. The food buyer is responsible for making sure requested ingredients are available and don't exceed the meal budget, and the menu planner insures that the overall menu for the house is nutritious and diverse. Please see a typical menu for details.
6.3 What if I can't make a meal? What can I do?
If you cannot make a meal, you may sign-up for a "save plate." Save plates are plates of food from lunch, dinner, and brunch which are prepared for you and stored in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Save plates are not available for breakfast but other types of typical breakfast foods (cold cereals, toast, oatmeal, fruit) are available 24 hours/day in the kitchen and commons area. In addition, leftovers are available from most meals and these are stored in the house refrigerator for three days after they are prepared.
6.4 Is food available for snacking?
Yes. A variety of snacks including cereal, peanut butter and jelly, chips, bread, fruit, coffee, and tea are available 24 hours/day in the kitchen and commons areas. Leftovers are also available for three days after they are first served.
6.5 I have dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, lactose intolerance, etc.). Is this a problem?
Maybe. Vegetarians generally do not have too much trouble finding things to eat but vegans will probably have a very difficult time eating from the normal menu. Many cooks prepare a vegetarian option at meals, although such an option is not actually required at every meal. If you require special food, it may be possible for this to be accommodated if it is possible to fit it within the house food budget. If you have specific questions, please contact the membership coordinator at the email address above.
6.6 Can I request special foods?
Yes, it is possible to request special foods from the food buyer but there is no guarantee that such requests will be filled. All special foods purchased must fit within the house food budget which is, generally speaking, pretty tight.
6.7 Is it possible to eat at the house without living at the house?
Yes. Members who eat and use the facilities at the house without living at the house are called "associate" members. Two different associate memberships are available:
Associate members have full voting privileges at meeting and have full access to house facilities. If you are interested in becoming an associate member, please contact the membership coordinator at the email address listed above.
6.8 Is it possible to live at the house without paying for meals?
No. All members who live at the house must take part in the meal
plan.
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Laurel House Co-op / Austin, Texas, USA / last updated 30 March 2005