Evidence shows a diet filled with a variety of plant foods such as vegetables, fruits and whole grains helps to lower cancer risk. That’s why during Cancer Awareness Month, NDSU’s student-run restaurant, 800 Café, will feature cancer-fighting foods on Thursday, April 18, and Friday, April 19.

Dietetic students Danaca Johnson and Zoe Houle will manage the healthy three-course meal, during which they will share how the foods being served will help fight disease. They also will highlight nutritional facts about tomatoes.

The first course is a homemade tomato basil soup. The second course includes a black bean salad, basil and garlic vegetable pasta with balsamic vinaigrette, and a turkey tomato wrap. For dessert, the students will serve a warm, fruits-of-the-forest crisp with whipped topping.

The 800 Café is located in the Family Life Center room 312. Seating begins at 11 a.m. and the last seating starts at 12:15 p.m.

The cost is $8 per meal, beverages included. Reservations are encouraged because seating is limited. To make a reservation, contact Ronda Klubben at ronda.klubben@ndsu.edu or 701-231-7487. Parking is available in the visitor’s lot on the NDSU campus.

The 800 Café will serve lunch on Thursdays and Fridays until April 26. Four-meal punch cards also are available for $30.

Juniors and seniors majoring in dietetics operate Café 800 for an entire semester, serving food with china and linen. It is part of the Foodservice Management I course taught by Sherri Nordstrom Stastny, registered dietitian and assistant professor in health, nutrition and exercise sciences.

For more information, visit www.ndsu.edu/hnes/ program_contact_information/department_restaurant_800_cafe.

For more information on food-related cancer research, visit aicr.org.

NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.