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Top 10 college and university food service stories of 2022

When thoughtful menus meet higher learning, the sky’s the limit for great food, education, school spirit and community.

Tara Fitzpatrick, Senior Editor

November 22, 2022

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College life has gotten its groove back in the past year, and dining has been at the hub on campuses all over the country. A sense of community is one purpose served by the campus dining hall; others include a focus on sustainability, local food and farmers, sharing cultural diversity through food, being at the forefront on tech trends and menu trends…campus dining has been busy as an industry this year, no doubt about it. In a unique position to serve, influence and educate a generation of students learning about the world around them, college dining can play a huge, positive part of every student’s experience. In terms of eating for better health, plant-forward eating and a more sustainable food system, college students are ready to learn more. They’re also ready to have fun, so we didn’t forget college stadium food, either. Like other segments in foodservice, campus dining is still struggling with labor and supply chain issues. We included some FM On Demand with Tara Fitzpatrick podcasts here, too, including tips for college foodservice managers. These stories have shaped college dining in 2022.

About the Author

Tara Fitzpatrick

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group

Tara Fitzpatrick is Food Management’s senior editor and a contributor to Restaurant Hospitality and Nation’s Restaurant News, creating editorial content for digital, print and events. Tara holds a bachelor of science degree from the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Kent State University. Before joining Food Management in 2008, Tara was associate editor at National Association of College Stores in Oberlin, Ohio. Prior to that, Tara worked as a newspaper reporter in her hometown of Lorain, Ohio, where she lives now. Tara is a fan of food history, legends, lore, ghost stories, urban farming and old cookbooks. 

Tara Fitzpatrick’s areas of expertise include the onsite foodservice industry (K-12 schools, colleges and universities, healthcare and B&I), menu trends, sustainability in foodservice, senior dining, farm-to-table and innovation.

Tara Fitzpatrick is a frequent webinar and podcast host and has served on the board of directors for IFEC (International Food Editors Consortium).

Tara Fitzpatrick’s experience:

Senior Editor, Food Management (Feb 2008-present)

Associate Editor, National Association of College Stores (2005-2008)

Reporter, The Morning Journal (2002-2005)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-fitzpatrick-4a08451/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Tara_Fitzie

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/tarafitzie/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tara.y.fitzpatrick

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