5 coronavirus things: Aramark, Sodexo pick up new contracts

In this special edition of 5 Things, Food Management highlights five things you may have missed recently about developments regarding coronavirus and its impact on onsite dining.

Here’s your list for today:

Aramark will take over the dining operations run by University Enterprises Inc. (UEI) at Sacramento State University next July. UEI Executive Director Jim Reinhart says the organization was unable to keep up with student demands for menu variety, sustainability practices and options for various diets such as vegetarian/vegan and gluten-free while continuing to employ up to 600 students each semester.

Read more: Aramark wins bid to take over Sac State’s dining operations

Beginning next February, UMass Memorial HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital in Massachusetts will outsource its previously self-operated cafeteria services to Sodexo, which currently manages the hospital’s patient food services. “We expect a seamless transition from our organization to Sodexo,” a statement from parent organization UMass Memorial Health Care says. “The employees will continue in their same roles, with their current management staff, work schedules and importantly will retain their current salary and benefits.”

Related:How Food Management’s 2020 Senior Dining Power Players adjust for coronavirus

Read more: UMass Memorial layoffs planned as cafeteria services are outsourced to Sodexo; employees expected to keep same roles

Louisiana cuisine concept Walk-On’s has announced a partnership with Aramark to place a non-traditional version of the commercial chain’s units as the anchor concept at the new food hall slated to debut in the student union on Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus in early 2022. The 4,800-plus square foot Walk-On’s will feature a condensed menu with local favorites in addition to upscale takes on Louisiana mainstays, such as Crawfish Two Ways and Mardi Gras Mahi, and is expected to offer both full-service dining and grab-and-go takeout.

Read more: Walk-On’s to open non-traditional location through Aramark partnership

ArtsQuest, an artistic performance and cultural education center in Bethlehem, Pa., is partnering with its culinary services provider Levy Restaurants on a new fried chicken pop-up operation called Christmas City Cluckery that will offer curbside pickup over the holiday period. The menu features chicken recipes with a Southern flair, plus sides like biscuits, five-cheese mac & cheese, collard greens and maple-brown sugar bread pudding.

Related:5 coronavirus things: Principal under fire for holding group lunch in cafeteria

Read more: ArtsQuest hatching new curbside fried chicken pop-up during 3-week dining shutdown

Despite the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on business, the Tamarack Ski Resort in Idaho is proceeding with opening an upscale food hall featuring four restaurant concepts—El Pueblo Taqueria, Triple B Diner, Summit Bowls and Crusty’s Pizza—and 295 indoor and outdoor seats, though current COVID-related restrictions will limit that capacity. The design plan notes that each restaurant has separate storage spaces/kitchens that allow for independent operators.

Read more: Tamarack to launch food hall near the slopes with pizza, tacos and more

Bonus: Food trend predictions: Which flavors, ingredients and menu items will 2021 serve up hot?

Contact Mike Buzalka at [email protected]