More than half (53%) of current college students say that they’re lonely—and just under half (47%) have concerns about feeling isolated, reveals a new report by Sodexo.
College dining teams can play a major role in helping students overcome feelings of loneliness, Sodexo’s 2022 Student Lifestyle Survey says. A majority of students surveyed (87%) say that eating together with friends is the most typical way that they socialize, and over half expect their campus’s dining hall to serve as that place to form connections.
When it comes to what students are looking for from their dining options, 49% identify 24/7 access to food as a top need, while 39% say the same of customizable items and 38% of all-you-care-to-eat options.
Nearly a quarter of students also say they want tech-enabled services for campus dining, such as pre-ordering for pickup or delivery, scan-and-go options, and contactless ordering and payment.