5 things: Binghamton University to open build-your-own halal station for Ramadan

In this edition of 5 Things, Food Management highlights five things you may have missed recently about developments affecting onsite dining.

Here’s your list for today:

1.    Lunchables to be in school cafeterias next fall

Kraft Heinz has succeeded in getting its ready-to-eat packaged Lunchables into school lunch programs starting this fall, in a major new initiative. But the company had to reformulate the ingredients to ensure the products meet federal guidelines first.

Read more: Lunchables to begin serving meals in school cafeterias as part of new government program

2.    Binghamton University to open special hahal station for Ramadan

 Binghamton University (BU) students fasting for Ramadan may have a new option for early meals this year, thanks to a “Build-Your-Own Sahoor” station to be located in BU's Chenango Champlain Collegiate Center (C4) Dining Hall that will feature an array of Halal food options. It will debut on March 21 and will be available throughout Ramadan during C4 regular hours.

Read more: BU introduces new food station for Sahoor

3.    New Orleans Children’s Hospital opens eating disorder clinic

When the pandemic began in March 2020, Children’s Hospital of New Orleans began to notice a big uptick in cases of severe eating disorders in their emergency room and the result was the opening of the first hospital-located feeding and eating disorder treatment program in Louisiana last November. The clinic at Children’s Hospital includes a dining area, where the patient and the family work together with the psychologist and dietitian to encourage healthy eating. The family is often asked to bring a meal that they think will encourage their child to eat.

Related:5 things: President’s budget proposal looks to expand CEP to 9 million more kids

Read more: For eating disorders, 'food is the medicine' as Children's Hospital launches feeding clinic

4.    Madison Square Garden may lose liquor license

The New York State Liquor Authority has initiated proceedings that could strip Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and the Beacon Theater of their liquor licenses. The agency slapped the James Dolan-owned properties with administrative charges over his banning attorneys from the venues who are in active litigation against him or the Garden.

Read more: Brew Hoo! State moves to strip Madison Square Garden of liquor license

5.     Fed may be hit with cafeteria worker strike

The Federal Reserve has been focusing a lot on American workers’ battle for higher wages in its campaign to curb inflation but now, the fight has landed right on its doorstep as cafeteria workers at the New York Fed have voted to authorize a strike over pay. The workers—among the employees of food services giant Sodexo who took the vote—are pressing for higher wages after not seeing any increase since March 2021. Since that time, the consumer price index has surged more than 13%.

Related:IFMA announces the 2023 Silver Plate Award winners

Read more: Labor strife hits the heart of the Federal Reserve: the cafeteria

Bonus: How Thompson Hospitality’s president followed Marriott’s blueprint to massive success

Contact Mike Buzalka at [email protected]