Essay on Trends in College and University Food Service

Introduction

The food service sector in institutions of higher learning has recently undergone major changes in its operations. These changes have been occasioned by changes in the political, economic, technological and cultural environments. Colleges and universities are admitting students from different backgrounds and with diverse feeding needs, who apart from the academic offerings, also consider the quality of dining services before joining an institution of higher learning (Tanyari, 2016, web). This has caused an adjustment in food service to accommodate the different student needs. This paper looks at two trends in college and university food service, specifically ethnic foods and menus for students with special dietary needs, and also activities of companies such as Sodexo and Aramark in colleges and universities.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

In recent years, the demand for ethnic foods among college and university students has been on a dramatic rise. Institutions of higher learning are increasingly admitting students from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The presence of international students, coupled with the increasing tendency of students to try out foods from various parts of the world, has accelerated the demand for ethnic foods in these colleges and universities. As a result, there is a growing trend among these institutions to offer these ethnic foods. Some of these ethnic foods include Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, African foods, among others.

Food service in some colleges and universities is also catering for students with special dietary needs. Due to rising health and medical issues and concerns such as food allergies, some students have to keep to specific diets such as being on diabetic diets, high or low calories diets, low cholesterol diets, high or low protein diets, et cetera. Some colleges and universities have risen to meet up the needs of these special student populations. Some have dedicated facilities offering vegan, gluten-free, or nut-free options (Nestle Professional, web).

Conclusion

These trends in food service in colleges and universities have been facilitated and made possible by companies like Aramark and Sodexo. These companies, through partnerships with some colleges and universities, are offering these services to the students. Aramark for example, at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus, manages the Fresh Food Company which offers residential students special dietary services like those of vegetarians. Sodexo, on the other hand, is taking charge at the State University of New York where it is offering Asian and Mexican foods, and also dietary options to those with special dietary needs (Nestle Professional, web).

Work Cited

"Top Trends in College Food Service." Nestle Professional. Available from: https://www.nestleprofessional.us/trends/top-trends-college-food-service [accessed May 12, 2018]

http://fesmag.com/features/foodservice-issues/13586-the-future-of-college-and-university-foodservice-is-n [accessed May 12, 2018]

Tanyeri. Dana. "The Future of College and University Foodservice Is Now." July 1, 2016