SGB Food Committee announces themes, BYO[MUG] at first meeting

Sodexo employees and Pitt students discussed recent dining changes and updates over a Pittsburgh-inspired meal at the first food committee meeting of the semester.   

The Student Government Board food committee, where Sodexo updates students on its initiatives and students make suggestions for improving Pitt’s dining services, met Friday afternoon in the William Pitt Union Assembly Room. At the meeting, Sodexo and SGB introduced themes for each meeting, as well as a feedback box where students could write out their suggestions and an email list to notify members about events.

Themes

Committee co-chairs Sydney Harper and Justin Horowitz said the purpose of the themed meetings is to bring an educational element to the committee. Each meeting this year will include a brief presentation on the history and cultural significance of the menu prepared.

The chairs plan to announce meeting themes for Friday meetings midway through the week.

Sodexo Updates

District Manager of Pitt Dining Services Abdou Cole updated students on changes to Pitt’s dining services. According to Cole, Sodexo made 72 changes to dining on campus last semester based on suggestions made in food committee meetings. These changes include a movement away from paper products, more accessible Quick Zone hours and the opening of BurritoBowl in the Petersen Events Center.

Global Chef

Cole also announced that Pitt is one of five universities to make Sodexo’s Global Chef list.

The program brings chefs from all over the world to select dining halls operated by Sodexo to share meals and cooking techniques. As part of the program, Pitt dining will soon be welcoming a chef from Malaysia for a month.

BYO[MUG]

The committee also said it is endorsing BYO[MUG]. If a student orders coffee or tea in a reusable mug five times with the BYO[MUG] card, the sixth one is free. This offer is applicable in all campus dining facilities except Einstein Bros. Bagels and the Starbucks located on Fifth Avenue. Punch cards are available in any dining location that offers the program.  

The next food committee meeting is Sept. 23 at 2 p.m. in the O’Hara Student Center.