Be patient in waiting for nutrition facts on campus

I found Adam Zell's Feb. 20 column, "Nutrition facts," interesting and relevant. I am personally trying to eat much more healthily in 2008, and having nutrition facts at my fingertips would definitely help me. As a member of theDuke University Student Dining Advisory Committee, I really do care about creating a flawless dining experience at Duke. So, why isn't there a way to find all that information right now?

Consider the situation: We have upwards of 20 independent venders running about 30 locations on campus. Collecting nutrition information from every one of them and making it available on- or offline is unfortunately very difficult. We have to verify the nutrition facts. And then the menus change, some as often as every day. But this is Duke, and we don't take "very difficult" for an answer! Rest assured: we know there is a need for this information, but before we start posting this information around campus and/or online, we need to make sure there is an effective system in place for gathering, verifying, modifying, and updating the information. A project like this is very time-consuming, so all we ask of Zell (and of others who have similar wishes) is for some time and trust.

Alex Klein

Trinity '11

Member, Student Dining Advisory Committee