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Harold West, in the foreground, and Brock Macarelli behind, are cooking up the chicken pieces in preparation for the UMass Welcome Back Barbecue. Both work for UMass Dining Services and were among the 150 working on the meal.
(Diane Lederman/The Republican)
AMHERST - While there was no world record on the line on this Labor Day at the University of Massachusetts, UMass Dining Services staff was still preparing to feed a crowd- this year about 10,000 to dine on a meal of antibiotic free-chicken and burgers from grass fed cattle.
About 150 were readying the 2,000 pounds of chicken and 1,500 pounds of beef on the dozens of grills set up at UMass, said Christopher Howland, director of purchasing and marketing.
The menu also consisted of corn, cole slaw, potato salad and macaroni and cheese.
He said the university has made a pledge to serve only antibiotic free chicken and is the first campus in the country to do so.
"It's our duty to do the right thing," he said. And this way, he said students know about it and can make decisions later in life using their experience from campus.
The focus this year was on the healthy meal and not on competing for another world record said, Garett DiStefano, director of Residential Dining.
He said that doesn't mean they won't try again in the future and he welcomes suggestions.
UMass has vied for a Guinness Record for the last five years. He said there's a sense of perhaps over doing it to go after another this year.
The dinner, which also included local fruit, desserts like Peach Melba cobbler, costs about $40,000, he said, with costs split between Student Affairs and Campus Life and UMass Dining Services.
With about 10,000 eating, he said that's only about $4 per person getting "antibiotic free chicken and grass fed beef, local produce and having a good time while doing it."
A sign at the UMass Welcome Back Barbecue showcases the meal.
UMass dining was also cooking veggie burgers as well.
UMass spokesman Edward F. Blaguszewski, meanwhile, said that the student move-in went smoothly.
Students began moving in on Friday and finished moving in Sunday.
He said Resident Life Student Services has worked hard to make the process smooth.
Classes begin Tuesday.
The dinner, as in the past, is open to the community at large as well.