BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — Those who complain about campus food will be unhappy to hear that Monday afternoon’s public presentation was the final step in ensuring another decade of Sodexo at Binghamton University. The formal contract will be effective as of June 1, 2015.
Students, faculty and representatives from Sodexo gathered in Old Union Hall to discuss the contract that would guarantee Sodexo as BU’s food provider through 2025. Sodexo was the only vendor to respond to the bid. Though other corporations such as American Food & Vending and Gourmet Foods initially showed interest, they never officially applied. Sodexo has provided food for Binghamton University for the past 30 years.
Pete Napolitano, the director of auxiliary services on campus, said that it is important that this decision is something that involves not only the school’s administration.
“As a client, we have client expectations,” Napolitano said. “The important thing is [that] this isn’t an administrative decision; we involve students and that’s part of where we’re going today, that’s what this proposal is about. Sodexo is reinventing themselves, reflective of what the students want.”
There were tables with food samples and posters explaining the proposed plan for the next 10 years. Changes include a global chef program, which will bring in a visiting chef from a different country each semester, and a makeover for the College-in-the-Woods dining hall.
According to Jim Ruoff, the general manager of Sodexo Dining Services at BU, Sodexo also plans to add new food locations to campus, including Dunkin’ Donuts in the Old Union, and an additional Starbucks and a Subway, both in the lower floor of the Hinman dining hall.