MIT Students Can Now Use Meal Swipes at Dean's Beans in Stata

New grab-and-go program aims to expand food access on east side of campus.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 4:03am

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a single, iconic coffee cup icon repeated in a tight grid pattern, conceptually representing the vibrant energy and accessibility of the new Stata Grab-and-Go dining program.The new Stata Grab-and-Go program brings a pop art flair to campus dining, offering students a convenient and affordable way to fuel up between classes.Cambridge Today

MIT students can now use their meal swipes to purchase grab-and-go meals at Dean's Beans in the Stata Center, a new initiative announced by DormCon Dining Chair Eugenie Cha '28. The program, which launched on April 13, 2026, is part of efforts to address a 'food desert' on the east side of campus where no dining halls are located.

Why it matters

The new Stata Grab-and-Go program is a significant step in improving food access and affordability for MIT students, particularly those whose classes are concentrated on the east side of campus. It comes after years of student advocacy and collaboration between DormCon, the Undergraduate Association, and MIT Dining to expand meal swipe options beyond the main dining halls.

The details

The Stata Grab-and-Go program allows students to use their meal swipes to purchase pre-packaged meals at Dean's Beans in the Stata Center from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The initial launch offered 50 meals, with plans to expand as demand increases and the kitchen can handle higher volume. Challenges included ensuring the Stata location could handle a large influx of students at peak times and determining how to equitably value grab-and-go items compared to a standard meal swipe.

  • The Stata Grab-and-Go program launched on April 13, 2026.
  • DormCon Dining Chair Eugenie Cha '28 announced the new initiative on April 10, 2026.

The players

Eugenie Cha

The DormCon Dining Chair who announced the new Stata Grab-and-Go program.

Andrew Mankus

The current MIT Campus Dining Director who worked with student groups to implement the new program.

Alice Hall

The Undergraduate Association President who advocated for expanded meal swipe options on the east side of campus.

Suzy Nelson

The DSL Chancellor who met with student leaders to discuss eastside campus dining initiatives.

Christine Onianwa

An MIT student who visited Stata for the opening of the new dining program and found it to be a convenient option.

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What they’re saying

“We have long wanted to bring swipes to Stata and have worked closely with Dining to make this a reality in several weekly meetings, endless student surveys, and cost analyses.”

— Eugenie Cha, DormCon Dining Chair

“He has been awesome to work with because of his new ideas, energy, and communication regarding any obstacles.”

— Alice Hall, Undergraduate Association President

“Being able to use meal swipes was 'very convenient,' given that most of my classes are either in or near Stata.”

— Christine Onianwa, MIT Student

What’s next

MIT Dining plans to use student feedback and operational expertise to guide future improvements to the Stata Grab-and-Go program, including potentially expanding the menu to include a hot bar.

The takeaway

The new Stata Grab-and-Go program represents a significant win for MIT students who have long advocated for improved food access and affordability, especially on the east side of campus. This pilot program sets the stage for future dining initiatives aimed at better serving the diverse needs of the MIT community.