Food service proposals on campus

UMSU taking the lead in ensuring better services

GARRY SRAN

If you have ever lived in student residence or bought food on campus, you probably have a lot of opinions about Aramark, the company that currently has a monopoly over almost all of the University of Manitoba food services. Aramark has been contracted by the University to provide food services since 1996, but their contract is set to expire in April 2007.

Last year, UMSU helped coordinate a food services survey on campus. Over 1,100 students participated in the survey. The consensus from the survey was that food services must be better, operate longer hours, provide more food options and offer better prices. The survey was attached to the food services request for proposal.

One of the UMSU executive’s campaign promises for 2006-07 was to submit an UMSUoperated food services bid to the university, which would feature a non-profit model with better food at better prices, support for local businesses, and longer hours. UMSU’s proposal would have also included the Bannatyne campus.

Over the summer, the University of Manitoba issued a request for bids on the next food services contract. The administration inserted a clause that required all bidders to provide three references from similar-sized institutions at which the bidder currently operates food services. This requirement blocked UMSU’s ability to propose a non-profit model of food services. Unfortunately, this project came to a halt when the request for proposals was released by the university.

As a representative on the food services committee, UMSU tried to amend this clause to make it inclusive for UMSU and other food service providers that necessarily don’t operate on other campuses. UMSU questioned the spirit of this clause but was not successful in stopping it. UMSU still holds a seat on the food services committee and will continue to work with the companies that submitted bids to deliver food service that is in students’ interest, and that is of high quality and affordable.

Within the committee, UMSU has already made some progress in addressing student needs and has asked that all bids include solutions to some of the most common concerns regarding food services for student groups and faculty councils. One is to allow student groups or student councils and associations hold bake sales in University Centre (which is not permitted in the current food services contract). The other addition is to provide assistance for student events, which could include a food credit for student groups or student councils and associations to draw from when booking catering on campus. This credit would be used for student events and activities that require food.

UMSU also pushed for better services for residences including options for food that is fresh and healthy, and ensuring meals are served hot. In the two proposals, both Aramark and Sodexho will drastically change the look of Pembina Hall. Food will be cooked right in front of the student with a variety of options from spicy food to vegan options.

We know our work in this area can push the two bidders (Aramark and Sodexho) to improve their proposals. UMSU’s success in the food services bids has been tremendous and unprecedented. We will also continue to work with the university administration to set a vision for food services on campus that has input from students.

The U of M Food Services committee is making a recommendation to the university administration by the end of December, and the administration will most likely announce the winning bid around January 2007. To assist in its decision-making, the Food Services committee wants to hear from students and other campus stakeholders at two public townhall meetings scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 15, to deliberate on Aramark’s proposal and Monday, Nov. 27 on Sodexho.

Both meetings are from 12 p.m.-1 p.m. in the MPR (second floor University Centre). UMSU encourages everyone to come out to those town halls to have your voice heard and to see what the two bidding companies have to offer. The town halls will provide everyone an opportunity to voice their opinions on the services and options the university’s food services provider should offer.

Garry Sran is president of the University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU).





Volume 94 Issue 11	The Official University of Manitoba Students' Newspaper Website	November 01, 2006

Home About Us Advertise Contact Staff Current Issue PDF Employment Letters to the Editor Meet the Staff Online Archives Personals Volunteer	Font Size Respond Email Print-Friendly Food service proposals on campus UMSU taking the lead in ensuring better services GARRY SRAN If you have ever lived in student residence or bought food on campus, you probably have a lot of opinions about Aramark, the company that currently has a monopoly over almost all of the University of Manitoba food services. Aramark has been contracted by the University to provide food services since 1996, but their contract is set to expire in April 2007. Last year, UMSU helped coordinate a food services survey on campus. Over 1,100 students participated in the survey. The consensus from the survey was that food services must be better, operate longer hours, provide more food options and offer better prices. The survey was attached to the food services request for proposal. One of the UMSU executive’s campaign promises for 2006-07 was to submit an UMSUoperated food services bid to the university, which would feature a non-profit model with better food at better prices, support for local businesses, and longer hours. UMSU’s proposal would have also included the Bannatyne campus. Over the summer, the University of Manitoba issued a request for bids on the next food services contract. The administration inserted a clause that required all bidders to provide three references from similar-sized institutions at which the bidder currently operates food services. This requirement blocked UMSU’s ability to propose a non-profit model of food services. Unfortunately, this project came to a halt when the request for proposals was released by the university. As a representative on the food services committee, UMSU tried to amend this clause to make it inclusive for UMSU and other food service providers that necessarily don’t operate on other campuses. UMSU questioned the spirit of this clause but was not successful in stopping it. UMSU still holds a seat on the food services committee and will continue to work with the companies that submitted bids to deliver food service that is in students’ interest, and that is of high quality and affordable. Within the committee, UMSU has already made some progress in addressing student needs and has asked that all bids include solutions to some of the most common concerns regarding food services for student groups and faculty councils. One is to allow student groups or student councils and associations hold bake sales in University Centre (which is not permitted in the current food services contract). The other addition is to provide assistance for student events, which could include a food credit for student groups or student councils and associations to draw from when booking catering on campus. This credit would be used for student events and activities that require food. UMSU also pushed for better services for residences including options for food that is fresh and healthy, and ensuring meals are served hot. In the two proposals, both Aramark and Sodexho will drastically change the look of Pembina Hall. Food will be cooked right in front of the student with a variety of options from spicy food to vegan options. We know our work in this area can push the two bidders (Aramark and Sodexho) to improve their proposals. UMSU’s success in the food services bids has been tremendous and unprecedented. We will also continue to work with the university administration to set a vision for food services on campus that has input from students. The U of M Food Services committee is making a recommendation to the university administration by the end of December, and the administration will most likely announce the winning bid around January 2007. To assist in its decision-making, the Food Services committee wants to hear from students and other campus stakeholders at two public townhall meetings scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 15, to deliberate on Aramark’s proposal and Monday, Nov. 27 on Sodexho. Both meetings are from 12 p.m.-1 p.m. in the MPR (second floor University Centre). UMSU encourages everyone to come out to those town halls to have your voice heard and to see what the two bidding companies have to offer. The town halls will provide everyone an opportunity to voice their opinions on the services and options the university’s food services provider should offer. Garry Sran is president of the University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU).


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