Campus Dining Services does more than provide meals for students. While they do focus on creating new, innovative menus and being all-inclusive in dining hall selections, their main focus is student success. To do this, there are many programs they provide to ensure that students’ needs are met.
One of Campus Dining’s most widely known program is Zoutrition. Students are able to find foods that suit their dietary needs and read the food labels for all the products prepared and made by Campus Dining chefs. Campus Dining prides itself on the amount of research put into keeping food labels updated and finding options for gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan and vegetarian students.
“Zoutrition is a resource that anybody dining with us can use,” Campus Dining Director Nancy Monteer said. “It gives the complete nutritional breakdown of any food that we prepare. So if you went to Mizzou Market and bought a box of Cheerios, it is not going to be in Zoutrition.”
The Culinary Discovery Series is another popular program among students. Four to five meals are put on by Eric Cartwright, CDS Executive Chef, and sometimes a guest chef, who not only prepare the meals but also educate students on the history, culture and preparation of each food. Each meal is four to six courses, two hours long and revolves around a different culture or theme. In the past, these meals have represented Korean and Mexican cultures as well as themes such as Star Wars and Game of Thrones. There are only 32 spots available at each meal and each student must have a campus dining plan to participate.
“We want students to sign up for reservation notifications because they will get an email first when there is an event,” Kevin Reape, Campus Dining Communications Coordinator, said. “So if freshmen want to attend, that is probably the only way they will get a chance to because the dinners will sell out quick.”
Campus Dining also puts on a Culinary Nutrition Series, where 12 students per event can get hands-on experience in the kitchen and learn how to prepare and create various foods.
Organizations and clubs are encouraged to partner with Campus Dining. Specific rooms in dining halls are available for renting. Donation requests can be filled out if a group wishes to have Campus Dining cater their event. In the past, Campus Dining has helped out the Green Dot Conference and provided MUPD and Residential Life staff with free meals during their training sessions.
To avoid the spreading of germs, Campus Dining collaborates with Residential Life to provide ill or injured students with “Get Well Soon Meals”. If a student is sick, they have the option to fill out a meal request form on the Campus Dining Website. Residential Life will deliver a meal of crackers, soup and other “get well” foods to the student’s door so they do not have to walk across campus to a dining hall. Friends of an ill or injured student are also able to pick up a to-go box at a dining hall and deliver it to their friend.
Besides dining programs and events, Campus Dining has made large contributions to campus projects. They provided one million dollars in funding to the bridge next to Plaza 900, which is half of the two million dollars needed for the project. They have also helped in funding Stankowski Field and the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center.
To read more about Campus Dining programs or to access Zoutrition, visit (www.dining.missouri.edu)[http://www.dining.missouri.edu/].
_Edited by Alexandra Sharp | asharp@themaneater.com_