In the past colleges did not invest a great deal of time or thought into their food services. It was something that wasn’t considered a priority, however, as times change so has this factor. In fact, food service for colleges has become a focal point for students that are considering various schools. This is due to a number of factors, including a higher focus on nutrition by younger generations. In order to compete in this area it is important to understand what is needed to succeed.
One of the biggest changes is the types of foods that are offered. In the past most schools would serve traditional American foods, much like those that you would expect from fast food establishments. This would include pizza, tacos, burgers and fries and other staples. In some cases there might be a salad bar available, but even that wasn’t considered standard. However, students are more concerned with nutrition and their health than ever before. This is leading to an increased demand for meals that are low in fat and high in vegetables and fruits. It has also increased demand for various types of diet needs, such as gluten free, vegetarian, vegan and others. More than ever before people are taking a very serious look at the foods that they eat and vote with their dollars on which food programs are offering the best options.
There is also a higher demand for more diverse meals options. This is why so many colleges that aren’t even considered high end schools are hiring chefs to handle the food service for colleges. The chefs enable the food programs to offer a more diverse selection of meals so that the students essentially can not become bored with the food that is being offered. Money that is made through selling meal plans can do a great deal to increase the revenue for a school. Due to that being able to offer foods that will keep the students buying those plans only makes sense. If your school has not yet jumped on this band wagon they are likely missing out on continuing to grow as a learning institution.
These higher end food options are not something that is reserved for those school that have students from high income backgrounds. Even middle class and working class families put in a lot of effort to help their children to understand what a nutritious diet is. In fact, after a great deal of research had shown that college students typically were gaining a great deal of weight during their freshman year, it became even more clear that the offerings needed to change. This has not only worked to promote healthier students, but the difference can be seen in the classroom as well.
Take some time to really understand the changes so that you can best position your school to compete with the others. There are so many options available to help you stand above the rest. Find the means that will work best for your organization so that you can gain the attention of potential students in the future.
