Before the fall semester began, students could choose from various meal plan blocks that range from 50 meals to unlimited meals.

For students running low on meal plans, Bama Dining offered the Thrifty 20 option beginning in October.

The Thrifty 20 option was implemented when Bama Dining evaluated the number of meals students need to last the remainder of the semester, rather than purchasing an additional meal plan that range from $394 to $1,757 per semester.

Kelsey Faust, marketing coordinator of Bama Dining, said in an e-mailed statement that they decided to offer a 20 meal-option when Bama Dining realized approximately how many additional meals students need during this time of year.

“We selected 20 meals because essentially the Thrifty 20 plan is considered a meal plan add on for when students are running low on their current meal plan,” she said. “Therefore, we came up with the 20 block after looking at previous years’ numbers to figure out a number of meals that will be enough to get students through the rest of the school semester.”

She said students must have purchased a meal plan before paying for the Thrifty 20, because it is only a meal plan supplement.

As a consequence, she said students cannot cancel their payment for the Thrifty 20.

“Because the Thrifty 20 meal plan is an add-on to students’ existing meal plans, cancellations are not permitted,” she said.

She said the Thrifty 20, which costs $172, includes a discount from the walk-up prices for customers without meal plans.

“We scale all of our meal plans on a discounted rate,” she said. “The larger number of meals in a plan the greater the discount. The Thrifty 20 plan is offered at a discounted price and students pay less per swipe than someone would if they paid the door fee.”

The Thrifty 20 was announced as an option for students with meal plans around the beginning of October, Faust said.

“This option is available to students typically around the first of October,” she said. “However, since it is just a meal plan add on, students can start purchasing the Thrifty 20 when they feel that they are running low on meals.”

She said the unused meals from the Thrifty 20 roll over to the spring semester.

Rachel Croon, a freshman majoring in communicative disorders, said the Thrifty 20 could be a valuable option for freshmen who cannot use meal plans for off-campus dining or who do not have cars to travel to off-campus restaurants.

She said she would purchase the Thrifty 20 if she runs out of meal plans.

Bryant Cooper, a freshman majoring in business management, said the Thrifty 20 is a worthwhile option for students.

“It sounds like a lot [of money to pay], but the food is unlimited once you go [to a buffet-styled dining hall],” he said. “It’s not reasonable if you go to get a bowl of Lucky Charms … but it’s definitely worth it.”

Fast Facts

What: Thrifty 20 meal plan option

Cost: $172

To Qualify: Students must already have a meal plan