Katy Wood
Staff Writer
Students at Florida Southern College have the world in their hands when learning and creating something new. That’s why junior Lexi Lapore-Paternostro published her recipe book, “Moc Mart Hacks.”
In the spring of 2024, Lapore-Paternostro, or as she named herself, “Lexi Longlastname,” recognized student complaints centered around minimal food options and left-over Snake Bites at the end of the week. She decided to step in and take action. During a Student Government Association (SGA) Food Committee meeting, she spoke with Food Service Director, Tim Raible, and received approval to publish the recipe book.
Lapore-Paternostro designed “Moc Mart Hacks” to help other students create meals and snacks with ingredients from FSC’s Moc Mart, Wynee’s Bistro and Tutu’s Cyber Café. Whether for personal use or a campus event, the recipes provide tasty options that utilize the student meal plan.
“I started by compiling all my previous recipes and looking up new ideas, then writing them into a cookbook template. I added photos, modifications and a little note,” Lapore-Paternostro said, “Once it was finished, I followed up with Mr. Raible, then worked with my fellow members of the SGA Executive Board to post and share the book.”
“Moc Mart Hacks” features recipes like microwave pancakes, sandwiches, rice bowls and various desserts.
Because of excellent administrative and faculty support at Florida Southern, students have a tremendous opportunity to speak up and create initiatives they want to see on campus. Lapore-Paternostro’s story began with a simple conversation and ended with SGA support and a published recipe book. This is similar to previous initiatives like Moc Mover, the golf cart “shuttle,” and Morning Grind, the student-run coffee cart.
“Once you set your mind to a goal and follow it through, you can easily get things done, especially here at Florida Southern where the faculty and staff are so supportive,” Lapore-Paternostro said, “I also want students to see how creativity and thinking outside the box can be practical in all aspects of life, not just academic.”
Lexi “Longlastname” studies Communications and Spanish with minors in pre-law, English and theatre arts. She serves as the administrative vice president for SGA, a presidential ambassador and a Southern Ambassador for Florida Southern College Admissions. She is also a student in the Honors Program and enjoys her time in StudioBox, the comedy troupe of FSC. Although her involvement does not allude to recipe-making or cooking, Florida Southern inspires and empowers its students to use all their interests to better themselves and the college. Lexi did not shy away from that opportunity and has now benefited thousands of students in their search for fun, and meal-plan-friendly food options.
For students like Garrett Hultman, a junior at FSC, living in a residence hall means navigating the challenges of limited meal options and no access to a full kitchen. Yet, Hultman has found a solution in “Moc Mart Hacks.” Since its release, he has turned to the recipe book for help.
“As someone who doesn’t have a full kitchen in their residence hall, having a book full of easy recipes can be beneficial because of limited meal options,” Hultman said, “Thinking of unique ways to use already-present ingredients is a great initiative.”
To find a copy of “Moc Mart Hacks,” visit FSC’s Moc Mart. If students want to share a recipe with Lapore-Paternostro, email her at alaporepaternostro@mocs.flsouthern.edu.
