In Brief 2009-06-01

The memberships of ASHFSA and HFM have approved the formation of the Association for Healthcare Foodservice (AHF) through the merger of the two organizations. In the vote, required by each group's bylaws, more than 94 percent of ASHFSA respondents and 100 percent of HFM respondents voted for the merger.

The University of Pennsylvania has engaged Bon Appetit Management Co. as its new dining services provider beginning July 12. The current contract holder, Aramark Campus Services, recently filed notice with the state of Pennsylvania that it plans to cut 185 jobs at the university effective July 12, when its contract ends. Those individuals may reapply for jobs with Bon Appetit. Aramark will continue provide food services at Penn's Steinberg Conference Center and its Palestra sports arena.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that Julie Paradis will serve as administrator for the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service, which administers the department's food and nutrition assistance programs.

Harvard University Dining Services plans to eliminate most hot breakfast options in House dining halls beginning in the fall. Students will still be able to get breakfast in Annenberg Hall, in the campus's venerable Memorial Hall. The savings, necessary in the wake of a decision to cut board rates 7.5%, will allow for a 40 percent increase in the budget for brain break, Harvard's late night self-service snack program.

Ovations Food Services has signed a 10-year concessions deal for the Major League Soccer stadium under construction in Chester, PA, near Philadelphia, where a new MLS expansion franchise expected to begin play in 2010. This would be the first MLS deal for Ovations.

Eglin Air Force Base has won the Hennessy Award for the U.S. Air Force's Best Food Service. The facility, which also won trophies in 2003 and 2006, beat out 88 other bases for the honor, which is judged by a group of foodservice professionals from the Air Force as well as the National Restaurant Association (NRA), the Society for Food Service Management (SFM) and the International Food Service Executives Association (IFSEA).

Bon Appetit Mgt. Co. CEO Fedele Bauccio has been named one of the winners of the first-ever Growing Green Awards, which are bestowed by the Natural Resources Defense Council. Bauccio won in the Business Leader category.

Centerplate has announced the launch of its new Innovation Labs unit to develop and share best-in-class service and efficiency solutions for arena and stadium operators and convention centers.

Twenty Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified and in assessment fisheries have joined together to form the Association of Sustainable Fisheries (ASF). The group's goal is to foster constructive dialogue between MSC and its client fisheries.

FOR BREAKING NEW BRIEFS GO TO: www.food-management.com