Food services on campus are going to take on a new look and new options will be offered in the coming months. This artist rendering shows a redesigned Terrace and to be named Urban Market.

Thompson Rivers University today revealed its plans for a sophisticated approach to
food service that will be the envy of many urban foodies.

Delivering on the framework set out by a comprehensive seven-month review, TRU
will immediately begin extensive changes to the food services available across campus.  During the consultation process with students, faculty and staff, TRU’s Ancillary
Services heard loud and clear that appetites would be whetted by meal options that
met a wider variety of dietary, sustainability, and religious concerns, along with
extended hours of service.

Old Main lower level.

FULL SERVICE STARBUCKS,
FOOD COURT IN OLD MAIN
Food service provider Aramark was the successful applicant in the exhaustive and thorough request for proposal process. In its proposal Aramark has committed to upgrading many of the popular areas where students nosh between classes. Also included in the plan is a full-service Starbucks on BMO Student Street, and a major renovation of the second floor of Old Main that will add a food court including Triple O’s, Miso, Bento, Extreme Pita, Purblendz and Sultan’s.

Old Main 2 with Sultans.

TERRACE TO GET FOOD
AND LOOK MAKEOVER
The current food court in the Terrace of the Campus Activity Centre will be extensively renovated. As the Urban Kitchen, it will feature fresh regional foods, some to be prepared in a new wood-burning oven.

STUDENT SURVEYS TO ENSURE QUALITY
“We are proud to be able to offer our students such a wide variety of healthy food choices
and to meet the growing dietary needs of an
increasingly diverse student population,” said Glenn Read, TRU Director Ancillary Services. “We are also going to ensure quality control for these changes by continually reviewing food services through student surveys.”

EXTENDED FOOD HOURS
Extended hours of operation for some food services is also necessary to give more options for the nearly 900 students who live on campus from September to May or who attend late afternoon and early evening classes.

STUDENTS TO REPRESENT AT LEAST 30 PER CENT OF WORKFORCE
Food services at TRU in Kamloops gross approximately $3 million annually. As part of its contract, Aramark will ensure it continues to give employment opportunities to students by committing to have a minimum of 30 percent of its workforce comprised of students.

Renovations for the new food services will be carried out over the summer, with Starbucks and the Urban Kitchen to open in time for September 2013.

_________________________

MORE INFORMATION
Glenn Read
TRU Director Ancillary Services
Phone: 250-371-5830
Email: gread@tru.ca

Old Main upper level rendering.