Bidding for food service contract begins

BY TRAVIS FICK
Managing Editor

Saint Mary’s University has begun accepting bids for the food services contract for the 2010-11 academic year, with the balance between quality food and affordability at the heart of the debate, said Chris Kendall, vice president for student development. Kendall is leading a seven-person committee that will make a recommendation for a food services provider to the Board of Trustees during the February board meeting. Among factors being considered is the desire for high quality food while keeping the costs down.

“Our philosophy has been to make education, room and board as affordable as possible to the most number of people,” said Kendall in an email interview. “We are looking for a responsive partner who can provide quality food and service at a cost effective price.”

According to Kendall, there is a spectrum of things that the student body would like to see changed.

“Many students have surveyed the community on this topic for classes, and typically, they discover a majority who are satisfied and a louder minority who are not satisfied,” Kendall said. “I sense this year is the same.”

Two students, Mary Gleich, student senate president, and Brandon Wanless, student senate vice president for student life, represent students’ interests on the committee.

“As the vice president for student life, I have been extremely active in food service policies and activities throughout this semester,” said Wanless. “I hope to be a knowledgeable influence on behalf of the students regarding the priorities and decisions of the committee.”

Wanless said he would like to see improvements but reiterated the desire for quality food while maintaining low costs.

“Personally, as a student representative, I hope to see great improvements regarding the nature of the retail operation, namely the Cardinal Club,” said Wanless. “In addition, I would like to have improved food quality and environment in the Toner Cafeteria.”

The committee created a fact sheet that describes the university’s desires, which has been released to possible vendors. Five companies have indicated that they are interested in submitting bids for the contract. However, Kendall said the committee will not be sure until the companies visit campus and decide if they would like to bid.

Included in the companies indicating interest in bidding are food service companies that are familiar with the campus. Curt Coshenet, Chartwells’ foodservice director, said in an email interview, “Yes, we (Chartwells) will be presenting a proposal to the committee for the new contract.” Coshenet declined to comment on the specifics of what makes Chartwells stand out among its competitors due to the competitive nature of the bidding process.