Samford University welcomed a new food vendor for the cafeteria at the beginning of the fall 2022 semester. Last year, the university began to seek out new food suppliers to better accommodate their needs as the campus community continues to expand.
After meeting with numerous potential suppliers, Samford chose to partner with Aramark. The switch was made from the food company Sodexo, which has served as the vendor for the past eight years. Samford students and cafeteria workers have been discussing this change since classes started in August.
Senior Aiden Fenwick is in full support of the cafeteria change.
“I think it’s much better than it was last year. I think a lot of the courses have definitely changed in retrospect and I think overall, they have done a good job,” Fenwick said.
Considering that the cafeteria is used by students with meal plans, as well as commuters, there are numerous changes that have been noted. Among these changes are limited drink options, fewer food stations, the addition of a toaster and the rearranging of food locations. In addition, the cafeteria now remains open between meal services.
Junior Susanna Swicegood noted some differences in the new cafeteria.
“[There are] more options for healthy eating and just fresh stuff because I feel like before [there weren’t as many] of the healthy options,” said Swicegood.
Although the cafeteria serves as the central hub of campus community, some students appreciate our on-campus restaurants more than the cafeteria due to their food appeal. Sophomore Christiana Hewlett prefers other restaurants on campus to the cafeteria.
“I love my meal swipes at other places, I’ll say that,” remarked Hewlett.
In addition, cafeteria workers have expressed their opinions on the new transition. With the new vendor came a new management team as well, which required past cafeteria employees to reapply for their positions. Among the applications, returning members, some that have worked at the university for over 10 years, heavily stressed that students should voice their opinions on the new company.
Arthurine Ward, who has worked at the cafeteria for over 37 years, liked Sodexo but agrees with the change.
“I like the switch. Don’t get me wrong, Sodexo was a good company, but it was just bad management,” said Ward.
Complimenting Aramark’s new management, which listens to and values what the Samford community has to say, Ward states that the cafeteria is more for the students.
“If the kids have anything they want to bring to management, they can, with no problem,” said Ward.
Some cafeteria workers, including 35-year employee Velma Caldwell, state that the switch is going to take a little bit of getting used to.
“[There are] different changes and we got a lot of different employees so I’m getting used to it,” said Caldwell.
With shared sentiments that Samford as a university has to adjust to change, Aramark has thus far gained the confidence of its workers and student body. The company intends on staying true to its mission of never wavering from their people-first approach and providing numerous opportunities for students to scan the “Be Heard” barcodes.
