Sodexo strives to improve Globe & Mail ranking

Posted by admin on Oct 7, 2010 in News | 0 comments

Every spring the Globe & Mail surveys 40,000 students across Canada on various aspects of their university experience. Trinity Western University has participated in the survey since 2006 and has a history of excellent academic standing. However, TWU consistently performs below average in the area of food services; every surveyed year has returned a D grade. For the 2008-2009 year the average grade in Canada
was a C-.

Scott Henderson, Director of University Enterprises, oversees food and housing at TWU and admits, “we haven’t fared well” in the food rankings. There is, however, an active plan for change in place. Known as “The D to A Plan,” the initiative was implemented in January 2009.
The improvements so far include the opening of the Sushi Bar and the Lettuce Patch, and improvements to the Sizzle and Sandwich station. Sodexo has also reorganized the method of food presentation to maximize on freshness by making most of the food to order. “We recognize that it’ll never be like mom’s [food],” said Henderson, but “we’ve been working hard to improve.”
Questa Lee, a third-year student, reflected on her first-year experiences in the cafeteria in the 2008-2009 school year. She recalled that the food quality left something to be desired. “The food was either too salty or too bland, and they didn’t have a lot of options either,” said Lee. After the beginning of the improvement plan, however, Lee did notice a change, “somehow second year
was better.”
The ratings for 2009-2010 are not yet published. The delay in discovering the reaction to their improvements has made it difficult to keep in touch with official opinions on food services. In an attempt to have more relevant information to work with, food services has begun to circulate their own surveys. In November, the second annual survey will be sent out to approximately 2,500 staff, faculty and students. Last year over 600 people responded to the survey. The results showed an average of 3.8 out of five for last year’s food quality.
This new survey has helped to close the gap between the established rankings and the current atmosphere in the cafeteria, where students are leaving comments that indicate a positive response to food services so far this year.
Second year student Megan Couch says even the improvement between last year and this year has been significant. “The quality has increased a lot,” she said. “I feel like it’s not impossible to eat healthily anymore.” And with three Red Seal chefs on staff in addition to the menu improvements and switching to a made-to-order system, it’s
no surprise.
Henderson is eagerly anticipating the publication of last year’s results. TWU’s long-term goal is, of course, an A, but this year Henderson says a B or a C+ would be fantastic.
Tell us what you think about the quality of the caf food this semester. Sound off online. Also keep an eye on marshillonline.com for the results of the Globe & Mail survey.