Sodexo, ETSU’s new food service provider, has been working hard this summer to revamp the overall dining experience on campus.
Along with announcing plans to renovate the D.P. Culp University Center last year, the university also announced it was terminating its contract with Aramark, effective July 1 of this year. After gathering feedback from students and faculty, ETSU selected Sodexo in April.
Although university officials do not expect renovations to the Culp Center will be complete until fall 2018, the Market Place was first on Sodexo’s list of changes.
“We’ve added more seating, as well some soft seating,” said Kayla Tucker, Sodexo’s marketing manager.
The additional seating is particularly essential in light of the university’s new mandatory meal plan policy, which automatically enrolls every freshman living on campus in the 7 Day Anytime Dining Silver Meal Plan, a plan that costs about $1,675 a semester.
Eventually, every student living on campus will have a meal plan, with the exception of those living in Buccaneer Ridge Apartments.
In the past, the Market Place operating times and food options varied, leaving students unsatisfied. Tucker assures that this is a thing of the past.
“We have a variety of food available at 10 separate stations,” she said. “All 10 of these stations will be open at all times between the hours of 7 a.m. and midnight. We also have a station completely dedicated to vegan and vegetarian options, as well as a station that is allergy-conscious.”
Other dining areas on campus have also received a makeover.
“There’s been some renovations to The Treehouse, as well,” Tucker said. “It is now the Treehouse Take Out and it is the second location students can use their meal plan at. Students that do not have a meal plan can still purchase meals and snacks to take on the go.”
Some additional changes include the rebranding of the P.O.D. Market in the parking garage. It is now known as the Garage Convenience Store. Subway is still in operation.
Field of Greens has been changed to Toss, which “focuses on fresh-from-the-garden ingredients, allowing our guests to customize salads to their individual taste.”
Sodexo has also hired one of the 66 certified master chefs in the United States: Master Chef Jean-Claude Seruga.
Meal plans will be officially activated on August 19 at 11 a.m. Students that have dietary needs are encouraged to contact Sodexo at 439-4389. For more information, visit etsu.sodexomyway.com.
