Purdue Dining & Catering has long been looking for solutions to accommodate the dining needs of its growing community. This year saw the implementation of the 7 Ways initiative (read more about that here), a department-wide project focused enhancing the meal plan diner’s experience by alleviating lines at dining courts and offering different options to meet the busy student’s needs. This plan includes a couple of mobile options: Take Back Hillenbrand, a take-away option at one dining court, Pete’s Za at Meredith, a portable residential location serving pizza, and The Daily Bite, a food truck. With these mobile options, PD&C is making a philosophical shift from waiting for students to come into the dining court to making food readily available beyond traditional meal swipes.
The Daily Bite launched in September of 2015 with a macaroni and cheese concept, but has transitioned this year into a fresh-mex menu, Tacolicious. The truck parks near the academic buildings during the lunch hours, giving students another Dining Dollar meal option on the academic campus. For dinner, the truck alternates between the busiest dining courts on campus, Ford and Wiley, and offers meal deals available for a meal swipe. This gives students in these locations a second dinner option and frees up space in the crowded buildings.
Take Back Hillenbrand offers the variety of a dining court with the convenience of carry-out. Students with a meal plan can purchase a reusable plastic container, which they can trade in for a clean one any time the dining court is open. The reusable container ensures that there is no significant waste from this portable option.
Pete’s Za at Harrison is a quick stop located on the ground floor of Meredith Hall. A satellite of Harrison Grille, it offers students a 12-inch Pete’s Za pizza and a drink for a meal swipe. Students can either enjoy their pie in the dining room, or take it to go. Pizzas are hot and ready during the dinner rush so there is no waiting. Harrison Grille offers delivery for cash, Dining Dollar, or card purchases.
Purdue Dining & Catering continues to look for new ways to best serve the constantly growing Purdue community. Offering these mobile options for a meal swipe has greatly reduced wait times at the dining courts, helped relieve the anticipated strain of an ever-increasing number student living in University Residences, and, most importantly, allowed students to have more options that fit their demanding schedules.
“Purdue Dining & Catering is committed to providing the best possible service and experience for students,” said Greg Minner, director of Purdue Dining & Catering. “We’re excited about this new initiative and encourage students to enjoy all the new ways to use their meal swipes as we continue our mission to nourish and inspire the Purdue community.”
Mobile meals; one more way that Purdue Dining & Catering is working to Make GOOD Things Happen.
Purdue Dining & Culinary 