The Food Service on the SDSU campus is making changes.
First, food service provider Sodexo has a new resident district manager, James Quinn. Quinn arrived to South Dakota about two weeks ago, and sat down with Collegian staff to discuss all the changes that food service will be making. Here’s a closer look:
Blocks can now be used to buy meals at the Hansen C-Store and Dairy Bar.
A new mobile truck called the Yum Mobile will now bring snacks to the dorms in the evenings.
Hanson’s C-Store is expanding food options.
Larson Commons is under renovation.
Erbert and Gerbert’s has moved to the Student Union.
Blocks Buy More Things
Certain food items at the Hansen C-Store and the Dairy Bar can now be paid for with blocks. Jennifer Novotny, the assistant vice president for Student Life, said that there are now more students on the west side of campus, so the Hansen C-Store is going to be expanding their food options.
Quinn said that meals – such as a sandwich, chips, and drinks – can now be purchased using blocks in the Hansen C-Store and Dairy Bar.
The Yum Mobile
A mini electric truck called the Yum Mobile is going to be driving around campus next week to provide snacks, drinks, and sandwiches near dorms in the evenings. Quinn said the Yum Mobile will come two or three times a week and rotate between which dorm it visits. The Instagram page for Jack’s Dining will have information on it about where the truck is going to be and at what time.
Hansen C-Store
Mid-next week, Quinn said Mein Bowl will have to-go meal options such as pasta bowls and rice bowls at the Hansen C-Store. There will also be simple serving meals in that location.
“They will have sushi there daily and have also increased their halal offerings in the Hansen C-Store as well,” Novotny said. Erbert and Gerbert’s and Mein Bowl will start providing food options in the Hansen C-Store on a rotating schedule.
Larson Commons
Larson’s remodel is underway. Novotny said that the elevator is going to be relocated closer to the front entrance, and that the dining area and outside entrance are receiving a facelift.
Students still have access to Larson Commons, although Novotny says that there is “a slight interruption in the pathway to the second floor,” where the cafeteria is.
The renovations in Larson will provide more places to sit and relax after the remodel is done in two years according to Quinn.
“Once it’s finished, it’s going to be a lot more comfortable and appealing,” Quinn said. “More like a social experience with a fine dining touch.”
During the next academic year, Novotny said that Larson’s meal services will have to be relocated, as renovations will make eating in the cafeteria impossible. The University is still reviewing options to decide what that will look like for next year.
Erbert and Gerbert’s switched with Created with Love
Erbert and Gerbert’s has moved to the Union and is now located where Created with Love used to be, near the southeast entrance of the Union.
“It’ll be really great to have the soup and sandwich option in the market,” Novotny said.
Created with Love will be put in the Larson C-Store where Erbert and Gerbert’s used to be, and Quinn said that students will be able to find allergy-free, hot meals there.
Employees needed
Quinn said that he would love to expand the open hours of food services on campus, but that they are looking for more people. The hourly rate ranges broadly from $12.50 to $18 per hour.
“Our biggest struggle is employees,” Quinn said.
