New Dining Provider Selected For Marist College

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — A new dining provider has been selected for Marist College.

The college recently engaged in an extensive, student-focused review of its dining services to make sure they meet standards of excellence and are responsive to the needs of the students.

Gourmet Dining LLC, a New Jersey-based company, will become Marist’s new dining partner effective July 1.

The company also serves Seton Hall University, Monmouth University, Rutgers University in Newark and Camden and Montclair State University, among others.

Gourmet Dining replaces Marist’s longtime partner Sodexo.

According to a New York Department of Labor WARN notice, Sodexo employed 174 people under its contract with the college.

When contacted for a comment, Anthony Proia, Marist’s director of media relations, told Patch that, as part of the transition, “Gourmet Dining has agreed to offer employment opportunities to existing dining staff employed by Sodexo, retaining many of the same employees in our dining hall and cafes.”

The selection of Gourmet was driven by significant input that began in the fall from students, faculty and staff.

New types of dining experiences, food choices and operational improvements Gourmet plans to roll out include:

• Using local, fresh ingredients, along with more international items
• Attention to dietary restrictions, including the installation of an allergy-friendly kitchen
• A meal-ordering app with lockers for quick food pickup
• An Amazon Go store featuring ready-made dinners, meal kits, snacks and more
• Additional four-season dining spaces
• Active partnerships with local farms, restaurants and businesses
• Learning experiences for students in business, hospitality, nutrition and other areas