Innovations abound this fall for Lehigh University Dining

As the fall semester approaches, Lehigh University and dining services partner Sodexo have updated the dining program, focusing on accessibility, diversity, technology, innovation, and sustainability.

The most recent addition to Lehigh Dining is its Convenience Corridor at the Siegel Gallery in Iacocca Hall.

“At a time when robotics and automation are challenging the status quo, Lehigh has brought on quick-service vending solutions,” said Marketing Specialist Evan Rehrig.

Included is the Yo-Kai Express, a “robot” that churns out various kinds of ramen bowls (including vegan and simple chicken noodle) in under two minutes. Yo-Kai Express is an expansion of Lehigh’s early self-serve retail options, which launched in 2019.

Additionally, Lehigh Dining introduced upscale vending machines that offer a lineup of freshly prepared Simply To Go Salads and Sandwiches, along with sushi, beverages, and snacks.

The third installment of the Convenience Corridor is a Starbucks Serenade on-demand coffee brewer. The University has utilized these innovations to circumvent staffing shortages and offer faculty, staff and students 24/7 access to food and beverages. New students are encouraged to explore the many dining options to discover what best fits their needs and schedules.

Market X at Mountaintop Campus, a first-of-its-kind micromart, opened the door for guests to pick up grab-and-go meals, drinks, coffee, snacks and more at their convenience.

According to Rehrig, Lehigh wanted to meet students where they were on campus and offer accessible dining in these popular locations.

One way in which the dining program did that was by renovating cafes in the university’s two libraries. After an analysis, The Grind at FML was opened in a newly renovated dining space on the first floor of the library. The location in Lehigh’s Fairchild Martindale Library was an immediate success among students stopping for a quick bite, with a menu offering both breakfast and lunch options. Another option designed for convenience is Lucy’s, a cafe tucked away in Linderman Library. Lucy’s reopened in the spring semester following a renovation and offers students a variety of coffee, beverages, pastries, and snacks to grab while studying at Linderman.

Also designed for convenience are Lehigh’s three food trucks on campus: Fud Truk, The Purple Pita and The Talon. The first to be added to campus in 2012, the Fud Truk serves a rotation of comfort classics.

The newly rebranded Purple Pita’s dishes offer a specially-crafted experience with halal-certified meats.

The success of the first two trucks led Lehigh Dining to roll out The Talon as its newest addition in March.

The current menu features an eclectic mix including a Cuban Reuben, gyro bowls, and breakfast sandwiches. All three trucks are accessible with students’ meal plans, credit, Apple / Google Pay and will be introducing mobile ordering in the fall.

When the university closed the Clayton University Center in December 2022 for a major renovation (slated for completion in 2025), Lehigh pivoted to make alternative dining options available. The team renovated Hawk’s Nest to become a retail food court offering four concepts, grab-and-go meals, self-ordering, payment and checkout. Lehigh Dining managed to generate more mobile sales one month into the spring ‘23 semester than in the entire fall ‘22 semester by incentivizing the use of Grubhub for online orders at remaining retail locations. The result was shorter lines and wait times for students which translated into greater satisfaction.

With the temporary closure of the Clayton University Center, Lehigh’s catering operations, bakery and Simply To Go commissary needed a new home. The University responded by renovating an existing building and outfitting it with updated equipment before the start of the spring 2023 semester. This new back-of-the-house operation has played a key role in assisting Lehigh Catering’s team to host events and transition throughout the day.

In addition to utilizing new technology for convenience on campus, Lehigh Dining has focused on working with the Office of Sustainability to contribute to a better future. Leftovers are donated to those in need through the campus Food Recovery Network. The program also partners with local farms and offers eco-friendly takeout containers. Lehigh encourages student advocacy through the Student Nutrition Ambassador Program that helps prepare students for a future in nutrition.

In collaboration with Student Auxiliary Services and Athletics, Lehigh University introduced a Student Athlete Meal Plan Program in January 2023. The new program allows student athletes to enjoy dinners together at Stabler Arena, Monday through Thursday. Menus are tailored to athletes and were created by Executive Chef Mike Gronczewski, who was previously a chef for many of the professional teams in Philadelphia. The program makes campus dining more accessible for the rest of the student body by limiting overcrowding at Rathbone Student Restaurant during dinner time.

Rehrig credits innovation in Lehigh Dining to the collaborative partnership between Lehigh University and Sodexo that prioritizes student satisfaction and excellent dining experiences.

Currently, Lehigh University offers two all-you-care-to-eat student restaurants, eight retail cafes, three food trucks, a mobile wood-fired pizza oven, a 24/7 micromart and 10 innovative vending solutions.

Together, Lehigh University and Sodexo are excited about the future planning of eight retail platforms that will enhance the dining program including Kosher, breakfast all day, Mediterranean, Italian, made-to-order salads, Simple Servings (allergen free), a pub/restaurant, and an Amazon Just Walk Out convenience store. The new dining hub at Clayton University Center, slated to reopen in fall 2025, is expected to showcase the dining program’s next step in innovation, creativity, customer experience/engagement, and transformational dining.