Florida A&M is interviewing two new food vendors to possibly replace Sodexo.
FAMU extended Sodexo’s contract for about a month, but Sodexo is nearing the end of its contract. The university is considering Aramark and Gourmet Services Inc.
Aramark serves more than 600 institutions and partners with food chains such as Burger King, Jamba Juice, Subway and Einstein Bros, according to the company website.
Gourmet Services, according to its website, serves Bethune-Cookman University, Alabama State University and Hampton University. It also has partnerships with popular food chains such as Chick-fil-A, Schlotzsky’s Deli and Planet Smoothie.
Byron Williams, director of Auxiliary Services, explained that Sodexo is pushing for all vendors that submit proposals to utilize FAMU’s student population. Sodexo student employees can work for the new vendor if they choose to do so.
“We’re hoping to have a recommendation for a new vendor from the president to the board of trustees sometime around March 15, but that date is tentative,” Williams said.Radiance Abdelkader, a fourth-year biology student from Los Angeles and Sodexo employee, believes the vendor’s efforts to improve its image on campus should have come sooner.
“I think Sodexo has tried to improve lately, but I don’t know if it’s too late,” Abdelakader said. He also wondered if employees needed to find a new job if a new food vendor is hired.“As an employee, I’m interested in the retention of their contract,” Abdelkader.Brittany Banks, a second-year psychology student from Tallahassee, said she wouldn’t mind a new food vendor.
“I’m bored with Sodexo’s food choices,” Banks said. “FAMU needs more popular choices.