5 things: Aramark to take over Florida State dining contract

Each Friday Food Management compiles a list that highlights five things you probably missed in the onsite foodservice news that week and why you should care about them.

Here’s your list for the week of December 7:

Aramark will take over management of campus dining services at Florida State University (FSU) next month after current contract holder Sodexo exercised its option to cancel a deal that was slated to run through 2028. Aramark had previously operated FSU’s dining between 2002 and 2017.

Read more: Florida State University Announces New Dining Services Contract

Harvard will permanently close four University Dining Services facilities and lay off the employees staffing those locations. They include include the Heights restaurant in Smith Campus Center, CGIS Café in the Center for Government and International Studies, the Observatory Cart and the Culinary Support Group kitchen, which serves as the central kitchen for Harvard Dining, supplying components like soups, sauces, salads, and pastas for the campus dining halls.

Read more: Harvard University Dining Services to Close Four Facilities, Lay Off Employees

Related:5 coronavirus things: Schools and colleges top COVID spreaders in DC

RWJBarnabas Health in New Jersey is establishing a series of food hub locations across the state in partnership with nonprofits, businesses and farmers in order to combat food insecurity. Currently, seven pilot hub locations have been opened across Newark and Brunswick, with more to come.

Read more: RWJBarnabas Health opens food hubs in New Jersey to alleviate food insecurity

More than half (54%) of over 10,000 workers responding to a Pew Research poll indicated that they would like to continue to work remotely even after inoculations of the COVID-19 vaccine begin and the health situation is declared resolved. Of those currently working from home, at least three-quarters said the transition to remote work has been fairly easy in terms of technology, material support and workspace.

Read more: Workers Want to Remain Remote When COVID Emergency Ends

Virginia Tech Athletics has unveiled its recently completed Student-Athlete Performance Center, a nearly $20 million complex that will serve as the primary space for the sports nutrition staff to meet the nutrition needs of student-athletes from all 22 of Virginia Tech's varsity sports. The center includes a full-service kitchen that allows for the preparation of meals for student-athletes and a large dining space featuring panoramic views of Lane Stadium and the Beamer-Lawson Practice Facility.

Related:5 coronavirus things: Georgetown to provide dining allowance to on-campus students over winter break

Read more: Newly completed Student-Athlete Performance Center ready for use

Bonus: Best Sandwiches Readers’ Choice: 11 sizzlin’ steak sandwiches from food service chefs

Contact Mike Buzalka at [email protected]