First Run, Last Resort?

Want a meal that will keep you and your wallet healthy? First Run may not be the first place to consider. Yes, there are a variety of salads and wraps offered in PVCC’s café, but the prices hardly seem worth it.

I was a little surprised to learn that a salad from First Run is about $6, especially when there are better salads in Charlottesville for less. To be fair, First Run is a simple college café attempting to cater to the various taste buds of hungry students in the most convenient way possible. That convenience, however, can cost more than students desire to pay, especially if they want healthier options.

For those who prefer a healthy meal at a reasonable price, there are quite a few options, depending on how far you want to go. Wendy’s offers a plethora of satisfying salads starting at $3.99. With choices between half-sized and whole salads, you do not have to purchase more salad than you need.

If Wendy’s does not tempt your taste buds, Trader Joe’s could be your health food paradise. There is a lot to choose from, but the salads alone will give you much to consider. According to Bryan, a Trader Joe’s employee, there are about twenty-five salads to choose from. For $3.99 (plus tax), you can get the spicy Thai-style pasta salad with chicken breast, the lemon chicken and arugula salad with Israeli couscous, or the meatless edamame and kale salad just to name a few. Ultimately, the decision comes down to what you actually have time and gas for, but it is nice to at least know there are better, cheaper options.