In addition to the normal cafeteria lines, we have a concession stand-type area called Patriot Point (PP). PP is the small area as you walk from the Commons towards the cafeteria. They sell a few snacks, cereal, flavored water, cookies, and most importantly, an alternative lunch item. 

Patriot Point isn’t always open. 93.8 percent of people who completed the survey as well as the four people I interviewed (one of each grade) said they wish Patriot Point was open more. According to one of our lunch ladies, when it isn’t open, that means they are “short on people in the cafeteria” and the usual PP worker has to stay in the cafeteria to help. 

Is it useful? 

As I previously mentioned, one of the most important items they sell is an alternative lunch. The main items are chicken sandwiches, sometimes hotdogs, hamburgers/ cheeseburgers, and a few other items. These items change by the day just like the normal cafeteria. PP serving alternative lunch is one of the most useful and important things. 33 of 38 people surveyed (86%) feel that PP IS useful as well as the four people I interviewed (one of each grade).  

Clearly, people use it often for different reasons because the lines are always long, but why everyone uses it is different. One freshman said that they do NOT use it often. The upperclassmen said they use it often or at least they used to use it. The sophomore said they use it often for the food itself because “they have different choices than what the regular lunches (cafeteria) have.” The junior said that they “use it often, especially for their utensils.”  The senior said they used to use it very often but not since being a senior. “I don’t use it often anymore, but I used to use it a lot last year, mostly for the spicy chicken sandwiches.”

Patriot Point is a nice addition to our lunch experience, so maybe check it out one day when the cafeteria line is too long.