The Food Services Exclusivity Policy is now available for your review and response. Please send your questions and/or comments to dupolicies@drake.edu. Your comments about the content of the policy help inform our decisions concerning approval and implementation of the policy. Comments will be shared with the owner of the policy for consideration.
The Food Services Exclusivity Policy states that Drake University is under contract with Sodexo to provide exclusive catering on campus paid with University funds. This exclusive contract was entered into on the basis that it is in the best interest of Drake. Sodexo is the sole provider for Drake catering, which includes not only large formal events, but also day-to-day items like staff meetings and box lunches. They provide different pricing and service levels from economical pick-up service to formal dinners. Sodexo catering remains competitive in the marketplace by providing a variety of options including new Simply to Go and A la Carte menus.
Recently, we worked with Sodexo to allow the use of alternate vendors for purchases under $25. Since Sodexo has the first right of refusal for food service on campus by contract, you must receive approval from them to use an alternate vendor for any food purchase over $25. The policy includes a form for this purpose.
The accounts payable guidelines will be altered to delete section 15, “Meeting/Event Where Food/Snacks Allowed.” The decision to serve food or snacks will be determined by each area in accordance with prudent stewardship of University funds.
—Submitted by Andrea McDonough, Senior Administrative Services Specialist
I wish there was more options in the food provided. I also wish their were hot healthy options. The area in Hubble that changes everyday some times serves Mac and cheese with cheese that we see at ball parks for nachos! I can’t believe that is even an option. Sodexo has the option of making heathy meals that taste really good! I have been on campuses that have Sodexo and their meals were amazingly tasty as well as healthy!
The only hot veggies ever served are broccoli and carrots. The kids you are serving have limited pallets why not take this opportunity and show them great tasting food! Not fried, cheese, tasteless carbs. Given them options, complex carbs, multiple protein options with a variety of color. I know that you have the ability too! I have seen it before!
Good luck! I hope we see some excellent changes to motivate these kids pallets and brains!
I have found Sodexo not entirely reliable when it comes to (a) on-time delivery for events and meetings and (b) providing decent vegetarian options. I’m not a fan of Sodexo having an exclusive contract on campus, but since that’s unlikely to change, I’d advocate for a $75 rather than $25 purchase limit for alternate vendors. That way, professors could — for example — provide food for FYS students from places other than Sodexo without taking the class off-campus.