McDaniel chooses AVI Foodsystems, Inc., as new food service provider
McDaniel College has chosen AVI Foodsystems, Inc., as the college’s new food service provider.
AVI Foodsystems, Inc., is America’s largest, independently-owned and operated food and hospitality provider. The company is committed to preparing fresh, from-scratch meals using locally sourced ingredients. AVI also maintains a commitment to fair trade, aggressive sustainability practices and the incorporation of locally sourced ingredients to ensure that food is of the highest quality.
The transition to McDaniel Culinary Services took place throughout the month of January with meals served in Englar Dining Hall during McDaniel’s Jan Term. Other dining establishments on campus, including Caseys’ Corner, McDaniel Pub and Green & Go Convenience Store, reopened for the spring semester on Monday, Jan. 28.
According to Ernie D. Minor, executive vice president at AVI, “We will be introducing a number of new offerings and enhancements to the dining program to highlight our fresh, from-scratch approach, including a new rotisserie, bakery and more. AVI looks forward to working with McDaniel students to further enhance the dining program.”
Other highlights include roasting and smoking deli meats in-house; making pizza dough from scratch; and homemade soups, stocks and sauces. In addition, local Westminster-area businesses are now highlighted on campus with Furnace Hills Coffee Company coffee being served in Englar Dining Hall and JeannieBird Baking Company pastries and baked goods in Caseys’ Corner.
AVI replaces Sodexo, which had been the college’s longstanding dining services provider. The decision was made after a thorough reevaluation and selection process that took place throughout the fall semester. Input was gathered by an on-campus food service committee and students.
McDaniel is the first college in the mid-Atlantic region to work with AVI. Other higher education institutions that the company serves include Wofford College in South Carolina, The Juilliard School in New York and Ohio Wesleyan University.
“I am confident that the change in our food service provider was made in the best interest of our students and the campus community,” said Tom Phizacklea, vice president for administration and finance at McDaniel. “I am excited to welcome a fresh new dining program here at McDaniel.”
