Liberty University Students Return to Campus with New Dining Options from Sodexo
Newly constructed Montview Student Union includes dining services with kitchen, seating and interior design elements developed in partnership with Sodexo
GAITHERSBURG, Md., September 8, 2016 /3BL Media/ — Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Life Services, welcomed Liberty University students back to campus with a completely new dining experience awaiting them. In response to student surveys, the new options include more diverse, healthy eating locations on campus along with the fulfillment of special requests to bring Asian and Mediterranean flavors to campus. It all comes together under the roof of the new Montview Student Union.
The new venue came about as a way to accommodate the growing population of students on the Liberty University campus as well as create a student union space that was centrally located among the academic buildings. It houses six retail concepts as well as all of the student groups, campus card services, student activities, ROTC and many other student support services. It also includes an eight-lane bowling alley. As the Liberty University campus continues to grow, the focus is on creating a city within a city, a place where the students, faculty and staff can have every convenience on campus.
“Each semester we conduct surveys of our students and use the results to better impact campus services,” said Anthony Delligatti, Sodexo district manager. “In a larger annual campus survey, dining survey scores for Liberty University were in the top 5 percent and satisfaction with dining on all levels was at an all-time high. Those consumer insights and more drove our contributions to the concepts and designs students now enjoy at the Montview Student Union.”
The campus worked with multiple stakeholders, including Sodexo, to design and build the new student union. Chefs and leadership from Sodexo specifically contributed to the kitchen space design and provided input on seating areas and wall design, while also ensuring that reserved unit space for newly added national food brands would meet their respective brand standards.
NEW DINING VENUES
Students, faculty, staff and Liberty University visitors will now enjoy a variety of new dining options that are centrally located, including the following:
Argo Tea Café – Argo Tea infuses great products with a great mission –to impact local communities in sundry ways. It brings delicious cold and hot teas, along with a fully functional café featuring mouth-watering food. The Argo Tea brand focuses on six pillars, which are: “DiversiTea, CommuniTea, SustainibiliTea, ChariTea, QualiTea and CreativiTea.”
UFood Grill – UFood Grill is a brand dedicated to seeing people live and breathe healthy lifestyles, and it all starts with how the brand prepares its food! At UFood Grill, there is no frying. Period! It relies upon grilling & baking, and only uses the freshest of ingredients. UFood Grill also encourages its customer base to enjoy real fruit smoothies that are not loaded with fillers or processed sugars.
The Grid – The Grid mixes a very unique concept with an old favorite. It is a convenience store, one that sells all your favorite snacks, drinks, and more, but it also encourages local farmers and artisans to sell their products in the store as well. At Liberty University, Sodexo encourages local honey farmers, crafters and more to sell their products in the on-campus convenience store, as it’s a great way for students to enjoy organic products, especially if they don’t have a means of getting off campus.
StarGinger – In answer to a call from students to bring more diverse, ethnic restaurants, Sodexo is introducing StarGinger, an Asian Grill & Noodle Bar. StarGinger emphasizes the bold, spicy flavors of Thailand, Singapore and India, while incorporating the fresh flavors of Vietnam. It also relies upon sourcing local, seasonal ingredients for its menu.
Garbanzo – Garbanzo is a company that stays true to its roots, creating a beautifully designed menu with the simplest of ingredients. Guests will see their pita bread made fresh daily and meat being carved directly from the bone. Garbanzo is all about food and ingredients you can see. Its Mediterranean cuisine is the first of its kind in Lynchburg, Va.
Woodfire Pizza Company – Woodfire Pizza Company was designed in-house by Sodexo at Liberty University. Customers are welcomed by the warm tones of copper tiles, beautiful reclaimed wood, and a design blend of “rustic meets modern.” The dough & sauces are made fresh onsite where students can watch their pizza being made and placed into a wood fired oven.
Sodexo delivers more than 100 services across North America that enhance organizational performance, contribute to local communities and improve quality of life. The Fortune Global 500 company is a leader in delivering sustainable, integrated facilities management and foodservice operations.
