Dear Sodexo,

As I sit here in my bed, my stomach grumbling angrily, I can’t help but blame you for causing this unsettling feeling. It’s been a semester of pure agony and hatred. Each day, you leave me wanting more and I never seem to get just what I need from you. I’ve lost all my sources of vitamins, as the only fruits or vegetables you provide are soggy cantaloupe pieces or brown bananas. You are also the reason I lack a substantial amount of protein in my dinner daily (surprise: uncooked, rubbery chicken doesn’t count as “real” protein). And on the occasional day that I’m feeling rebellious and break from “healthy” eating, the pizza is plain and thin and not what everyone claims New York pizza is.

The thing is, I deserve better. And at the end of last semester, I started treating my body better: dinners from restaurants in the area, homecooked meals my Mom would send in the mail, and treating myself to muffins that Starbucks sells on campus. And although I was cheating on you, I felt better about myself. No more starving, no more single-serving size bowls, no more taking bets with my friends on how bad lunch would be. For the first time in a while, I remembered what it was like to have real, good--even decent--food that you are incapable of offering. And it was great.

That’s why I’m breaking up with you, Sodexo. I hope you understand. Don’t think you’ll see me in the dining hall anytime soon. I’m moving on to bigger and better meals. I’m learning how to cook using microwaves, and my refridgerator is stocked with real fruits. I have normal sized plates, and even learned how to go food shopping. I eat breakfast, lunch and dinner on my own time, and I choose what I want for my meals.

I hope one day you'll realize why I’m leaving, and that you’ll change for the better so that you don't end up completely alone. By that time, I’ll be long gone, but some young, innocent freshman with a really picky taste will be in my shoes. I hope you don’t waste their time like you did mine.

Goodbye, Sodexo. I can’t wait to never see you again.