{"id":220655,"date":"2023-04-25T16:06:21","date_gmt":"2023-04-25T20:06:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=220655"},"modified":"2023-05-08T14:22:51","modified_gmt":"2023-05-08T18:22:51","slug":"students-get-a-taste-of-new-dining-options","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2023\/04\/25\/students-get-a-taste-of-new-dining-options\/","title":{"rendered":"Students Get a Taste of New Dining Options"},"content":{"rendered":"

Montclair State University students were introduced on Monday, April 24 to innovative, entertaining \u2013 and yummy \u2013 changes that are coming soon to campus food and dining services. Students enthusiastically sampled sushi, Cuban food and prime rib with mashed potatoes and much more during a 2.5-hour, food-tasting launch party at the Student Center patio.<\/p>\n

In addition to tasty meals, the event featured make-your-own trail mix and juice stations, lots of free swag, games and a photo booth, and allowed executives of the University\u2019s new dining partner, Gourmet Dining, LLC, to share their vision for future campus dining experiences. They presented conceptual drawings for reimagined indoor dining spaces, new and inviting outdoor dining areas \u2013 and even a Panera Express and Dunkin\u2019 Donuts Express, for students living along Clove Road.<\/p>\n

Both the cuisine and future dining plans received resounding approval from students, faculty and staff at the festivities. Big hits included bagels from Hot Bagels Abroad in Bloomfield and mini bagels and cookies from Ladyfingers Bakery & Bar, which went quickly, leaving only tubs of cream cheese behind. The snaking lines for sushi from Mei Hibachi in Hackensack and for Cuban pork, plantains and beans from La Cocina in Newark remained long and constant from 10:30 a.m. until after the party\u2019s scheduled 1 p.m. end. Halal food provided by Juicy! Halal with Heart, was also popular.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is not ordinary supermarket food, this is Whole Foods kind of stuff,\u201d Pranav Gopalakrishnan shared with his friends.<\/p>\n

Gopalakrishnan, a second-year MBA student, says he currently doesn\u2019t have a meal plan. \u201cBut if this is the food they\u2019ll be feeding us everyday, I\u2019ll definitely get one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gourmet already claims a large share of the collegiate food market in the Garden State \u2013 including Rutgers-Newark, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Seton Hall and Kean University \u2013 and will officially take over food services at Montclair this summer.<\/p>\n

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A conceptual drawing of an inviting outdoor dining space envisioned by Gourmet Dining.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

President Jonathan Koppell stopped by the event and proclaimed the food delicious. He said he especially enjoyed the tuna tartar tostadas and the beet salad. \u201cI like beets. I\u2019m happy to see beets.\u201d<\/p>\n

Like Koppell, students also wanted to see healthy options and a greater variety of foods, from vegan and vegetarian offerings to Halal (foods permitted under Islamic rules) options, according to focus group data and surveys shared with dining vendors during the request for proposals process.<\/p>\n

Danilda Soto, a University parking services coordinator who attended the event, was a fan of the variety. \u201cIt\u2019s very cultural, very diverse and it\u2019s flavorful.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Above and below: Visitors lined up for a preview of foods soon to be offered on campus.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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From the vibrant displays of fresh vegetables and the vegan and vegetarian fare offered at the tasting \u2013 Gourmet is ready to deliver on that appeal.<\/p>\n

The quinoa, kale, sweet potato and black bean salad topped with chili sauce served won over Maddison Chin, a junior Communication and Media Studies major. \u201cI don\u2019t eat beans, but this is good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gourmet Dining CEO Michael Frungillo says: \u201cEvery time I’ve been on campus and met with students, affordability and Halal options are the top two items that they have addressed with us. So, those are things we’re going to address right away.\u201d<\/p>\n

George Kuzma, Gourmet\u2019s vice president of Business Development, says dining will be made affordable by focusing on \u201cbenefiting those students who participate in the different meal plans with a lot of discounted meals so that a little bit of money goes a long way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Also on the list of students\u2019 requests: convenience, food delivery service and late-night or overnight dining.<\/p>\n

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The ginormous sushi boat was a popular food booth.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Displays with QR codes took students to Gourmet\u2019s Montclair-specific website, Eats by GDS<\/a>, where students could vote on retail food venues they\u2019d like to see on campus, choosing from a list of national chains, such as Starbucks, Smashburger and IHOP, and local eateries such as Java Love Coffee, Jackie\u2019s Grillette and Nami Nori. Participants also were asked to vote for one of three logos for Montclair\u2019s new dining services, Eats by Gourmet Dining. Votes made students eligible for a chance to win one of 20 prizes of $300 flex dollar dining plans. The results will be announced later this summer.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey’ll have a big voice in the total branding and what comes to campus,\u201d says Michael Frungillo.<\/p>\n

In addition to the conceptual drawings for dining spaces, Eats by GDS<\/a> outlines various meal plan options, including spring and winter break options for Montclair students, faculty and staff.<\/p>\n

Among the biggest changes: Students will be able to use their meal plans at all campus eateries, including at several new local and national brands, \u201cso that’s a huge win,\u201d says Montclair\u2019s Associate Vice President for Auxiliary Services and Strategic Initiatives Melissa Ginotti, who spearheaded the monthslong request for proposals process.<\/p>\n

\u201cUntil now, the meal plans for first-year residential students have been largely restricted to the two all-you-care-to-eat dining halls, Freeman Dining Hall and Sam\u2019s Place,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Another big change ahead for commuter students: For the first time, commuter students will also have expanded meal plans that can be used at all campus dining venues through a new Commuter Dining Deposit program<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Full-time commuter students will be billed $250 per semester as a deposit on their ID as a dining card. In addition, the University will provide an extra $50 each semester for the 2023-24 academic year as an incentive for students to use these funds to experience all components of the new dining services, including both on- and off-campus food vendors. Any unused funds that remain on a student’s card by the end of the 2023-24 academic year (not including the $50 University incentive each semester) will be refunded to students. Funds can also be donated to assist fellow students experiencing food insecurity.<\/p>\n

“While many institutions see dining as a revenue generator, President Koppel made the decision to view dining as a conduit for community belonging and engagement,\u201d says Vice President for Student Development and Campus Life Dawn Meza Soufleris. The new Commuter Dining Deposit program will help Montclair and Gourmet have upfront funding for \u201ccapital investments necessary to enhance our dining program.\u201d<\/p>\n

From left: Brothers Anthony and Michael Frungillo, executive vice president and CEO of Gourmet Dining, respectively, give Monday\u2019s event a big thumbs up. Gourmet was chosen for a seven-year food services management contract, with an option for 10 years.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

University Student Trustee Maria Cavero Mun\u0303oz, who was on hand to welcome the new food vendor, says she believes commuter students will take advantage of the new meal plans. \u201cI think they will eat on campus more,\u201d she says, adding, \u201cOne of the things we heard from students is that they have to go eat off-campus and then return and find parking all over again. This way they can be on our beautiful campus more, enjoy a meal with their friends, get a minute to relax and go about their day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Given the quality and variety of new food options, Cavero Mun\u0303oz says, \u201cI think it\u2019s going to be very rare that students don\u2019t use it and if they don\u2019t, they get their money back at the end of the year, so it\u2019s a win-win.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ginotti, who spearheaded the search for the new vendor, says: \u201cWe think that this is going to be an absolutely transformative student experience and will contribute to the sense of family and belonging that we want to cultivate for them. We\u2019re really excited about the new approaches and environments for socializing and breaking bread together that our partner will be bringing to our students, faculty and staff.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition, Michael Frungillo says the new dining services will also provide paid jobs and internship opportunities for students. \u201cIf someone does graphic design, we need that,\u201d he says. \u201cWe\u2019ll be hiring marketing interns, dietary interns and a wide array of food service positions.\u201d<\/p>\n

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University Student Trustee Maria Cavero Mun\u0303oz, left, and friend and fellow Student Trustee Mariana Luna-Martinez photograph the food and the chefs at the food-tasting launch party at the Student Center.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Students\u2019 wishes for convenience, delivery services and late-night dining options have also been heard and will be met. The Red Hawk Diner will be open more days and longer hours.<\/p>\n

Students who live on Clove Road will soon find a variety of food options, including food delivery \u201cusing their meal plan and flex dollars with delivery charges waived,\u201d Ginotti says. \u201cStudents can also purchase or use their meal plans to get prepackaged, prepare-at-home meal kits.\u201d<\/p>\n

Among some of the conceptual drawings shared with the campus community by Gourmet Executive Vice President Anthony Frungillo were a small Panera Express drive-thru and a Dunkin\u2019 Donuts Express station. Until those are constructed, food trucks will likely serve students in the Clove Road area, he says.<\/p>\n

An artist\u2019s rendering shows proposed convenient dining options, such as this Dunkin\u2019 Donuts Express, for students living in the Clove Road area.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

An eight-member Dining Services RFP Evaluation Committee, made up of campus community members, including Residence Life, Student Involvement, a Nutrition and Food Studies faculty member and a Student Government Association representative, worked for months to select Montclair\u2019s dining services partner.<\/p>\n

As a committee member, junior Terry Dickerson, student director of Student Affairs with the Student Government Association, made site visits to the Rutgers-Newark and Rowan University campuses to gauge student satisfaction with Gourmet\u2019s food and services and says she\u2019s delighted about all of the changes ahead.<\/p>\n

\u201cI’m most excited for the revival of our dining on Montclair State\u2019s campus because I think we have been lacking in the dining aspect for a bit,\u201d says Dickerson, a Journalism and Digital Media major. \u201cNow we\u2019re bringing something new, exciting and engaging \u2013 it’s not just food, it’s an experience that I think will completely change our campus culture.\u201d<\/p>\n

Soufleris agrees. \u201cFood is life. It\u2019s one way we connect with each other. We gather with friends and family and make memories around meals,\u201d she says. \u201cWe feel this partnership with Gourmet Dining is going to be a game-changer for us in engaging our students.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gourmet Dining executives visit with President Jonathan Koppell during the food-tasting launch party.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With deep roots in New Jersey and counting some Montclair alumni among its employees, Gourmet\u2019s leadership is thrilled to add the University to its long list of campus dining services. The company, which employs more than 2,000 people and has $145 million in annual sales, has served Seton Hall University since 1988, when it was founded by Alfred Frungillo, owner of a food catering business since 1972. Owned by parent company Compass Group, the largest food service provider in the world, Gourmet is family operated by Michael and Anthony Frungillo; their father serves in an advisory role.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur offices are in Verona, which is basically 10 minutes away, so constantly driving through campus and seeing the expansions and how the University has grown and the excitement around that, is something that we\u2019ve always wanted to be a part of,\u201d says Anthony.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve wanted to be a part of it for years,\u201d adds Michael.<\/p>\n

One of Gourmet\u2019s signature features is teaming up with local eateries. \u201cMontclair [Township] is one of the food capitals of New Jersey, if not the tristate area,\u201d says Michael Frungillo. \u201cSo the biggest thing we want to do is capitalize on a lot of those local artists and unlock a lot of those local vendors to help give the food program the same feel that Montclair has.\u201d<\/p>\n

The campus community can expect to have such local favorites as Java Love Coffee and Calandra’s Bakery, which will provide all of the bread on campus, baking it on-premises at Sam\u2019s Place, including fresh dough-from-scratch pizza for Sam’s pizza program, he says.<\/p>\n

Lauren Dinour, associate professor of Nutrition and Food Studies, also was a member of the selection committee and says she was pleased with Gourmet Dining\u2019s \u201cnutrition-friendly features,\u201d including \u201can allergen-free restaurant, teaching kitchen, authentic cuisines, and options that meet dietary needs, such as Halal.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Blanton\u2019s Hall\u2019s Food Court will be transformed to include a virtual or ghost kitchen and feature a bay of lockers, where students will be able to pick up their food ordered via a mobile app.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Gourmet will install a \u201cvirtual\u201d or \u201cghost kitchen\u201d at Blanton Hall\u2019s Food Court. It will feature popups and rotating restaurants, such as La Cocina. Students will be able to order via a mobile app and then pick up their food \u2013 prepared fresh behind the scenes \u2013 from a bay of lockers. Students will receive a barcode and locker combination once their food is ready for pickup.<\/p>\n

At Freeman, Gourmet will install a teaching kitchen equipped with several cooking stations and stocked with seasonings and fresh ingredients, where students can prepare their own meals whenever they want. In addition, a rotation of chefs, cooks and nutrition experts will help students learn some cooking basics \u2013 how to make an omelet, stir fry or pasta dish, as well as how to prepare various cuisines.<\/p>\n

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An artist\u2019s rendering of a teaching kitchen in Freeman Hall.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dinour praised Gourmet\u2019s commitment to nutrition. \u201cThey will hire a campus dietitian who will work with the chefs and the campus community to offer nutrition education and events, as well as provide experiential learning opportunities for students who are studying to become registered dietitians,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

She was also pleased with Gourmet\u2019s expressed commitment to food security, particularly given that 57% of commuter students recently surveyed reported experiencing food insecurity in the month prior. \u201cWe look forward to partnering with them on our current campus-based food security efforts, such as the Food Recovery Network, Swipe Out Hunger, and Red Hawk Pantry, as well as identify additional areas to expand our impact.\u201d<\/p>\n

While students will see changes as soon as this summer, next fall \u201cstudents are going to come on campus and see a different dining experience,\u201d Dickerson says. \u201cI’m excited about it. I hope they’re just as excited about it because they will see the action they’ve been advocating for for so long and be happy that they had a voice in it.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Terry Dickerson, director of Student Affairs with the Student Government Association, served on the committee that selected Gourmet Dining, LLC, to manage dining services at Montclair and is excited for the changes ahead.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dickerson says she appreciates Gourmet\u2019s familial aspect and their engagement and support of local businesses, which is in keeping with the University\u2019s \u201ctight-knit community.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSeeing how ready they are to work and change our campus in the dining area, it makes me excited, being a part of the change,\u201d she says. \u201cWe are all working together to make this change for our community. I really feel confident because everybody has a piece of the pie in this situation. No pun intended.\u201d<\/p>\n

Among the many new offerings students, faculty and staff can expect to see in the future:<\/p>\n