College Power Players: Wisconsin

46. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI

Dining Heads: Joie Schoonover, director of dining & culinary services (University Housing); Carl Korz, assistant director for dining services (Wisconsin Union)
Total Enrollment: 42,820
Students Living on Campus: 7,409
No. of Meal Plans Sold: 7,409
Annual Dining Program Revenues: $44.5 million
Cost Range of Residential Meal Plans: n/a (part of housing contract)
No. of Residential Dining Halls/Commons: 6
No. of Retail Outlets: 25
Management: self-operated
Website: www.housing.wisc.edu/dining; www.union.wisc.edu
Phone: (608) 262-0057 (Housing); (608) 265-3000 (Union)

After opening its first marketplace-style dining operation in 2007, UW-M in 2012 added two more, along with a central production operation. Last year, a 1926 building was remodeled into a modern marketplace and coffee/ice cream shop.  Also, concepts are now branded across the Housing department dining sites to boost awareness.

The $94 million rebuild of Union South in 2011 boosted revenues over 300% and the department has just finished design for full overhaul of dining operations at the other union, Memorial Union, including the campus' iconic terrace, which overlooks Lake Mendota.

Revive, a Badger Market concept in the School of Nursing, will open this fall with a healthier, nutritionally focused menu that was overseen by the School of Nursing nutritional program. It will feature calorie-controlled portions, a significant reduction in sugar sweetened beverages and nutritionally enhanced and balance items in a grab and go format.

Also, the Badger Market concept in the School of Human Ecology will be offering Fair Trade, artisan made crafts, at a separate kiosk as part of the school’s association with the Wisconsin Without Borders Market Place. The students meet with female artisans in developing countries and help them create product from their craft for the Western Market, thereby bringing in a significant source of revenue for their families.

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