5 things: Sodexo North America sees 27.1% revenue jump in fiscal 2022 first half

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:

Sodexo reported a 19.4% overall revenue increase for its first 2022 fiscal half, ended Feb. 28 that included a 27.1% organic growth in its North American unit. The latter reflects the reopening of all schools and universities and Sports & Leisure sites, and a slow return to work, according to the company, adding that the region is still only at 85% of pre-COVID levels due to the significant weight of Sports & Leisure and Corporate Services in the mix of business. In individual market segments for North America in the first half, Business & Administrations was up 45.2% while Education jumped 40.4% and Healthcare/Seniors was up 4.7%.

Read more: Sodexo: First half Fiscal 2022 Results up strongly

According to a new market research report published by MarketsandMarkets, the U.S. Healthcare Food Services Market is projected to reach $22.8 billion by 2026 from the $13.2 billion it realized in 2021, a 73% increase. The analysis attributes the anticipated growth to the increasing prevalence of and awareness about chronic diseases, growing focus on improved patient food experience, availability of customized food options based on diet requirements, hospital restrictions for outside food items and the cost-effectiveness of foodservice outsourcing.

Related:5 things: New York City school cafeteria upgrade program sees positive results

Read more: US Healthcare/ Hospital Food Services Market worth $22.8 billion by 2026 - Exclusive Report by MarketsandMarkets

Dartmouth College students who work at the campus’ dining halls have unanimously voted to form a union. Called the Student Worker Collective at Dartmouth, the new union will represent undergraduate students who work for Dartmouth Dining Services’ 11 dining locations. The news comes as Dartmouth's dining department announced the opening of three new campus dining outlets by the end of April.

Read more: Dartmouth dining workers form union in unanimous vote

New Jersey has issued a statewide recall of Guida's 1% Lowfat school cafeteria milk after officials said it contained sanitizer that sickened several students when they unknowingly drank it. Officials said at least 25 children have been hospitalized due to the presence of peroxyacetic sanitizer in milk with the date code 09-183 Apr 11 B2 and the health department fears that other batches of milk could also be tainted.

Related:5 things: Compass exits Russian market

Read more: New Jersey issues statewide recall of cafeteria milk that may contain sanitizer

University of Notre Dame’s student government Department of Sustainability has teamed up with Campus Dining and Campus Ministry to implement Beef Free ND, an initiative that encourages students to go beef free for Lent. As part of the program, campus dining halls are incorporating beef alternatives into breakfast, lunch and dinner meals every Monday and Wednesday during Lent to encourage people to try meat alternatives and sign Beef Free ND’s pledge, with those signing eligible to enter a raffle to win a spot at one of two family style dinners featuring beef alternative meals prepared by dining hall chefs.

Read more: Notre Dame dining halls expand beef alternatives during Lent

Bonus: Carle Hospital's Cafeteria Gets a "ReFresh"

Contact Mike Buzalka at [email protected]