If you’ve taken a look around campus recently, you have probably noticed all the new food options that are served in each cafeteria. The company responsible for these changes is Sodexo. The school had their plate and stomach full this past July when Sodexo outbid Lackmann, the former food service company, and became part of the HCC family for the next seven years.
“Ninty-nine percent of the Lackmann employees were retained by Sodexo,” said Maureen Wheeldon, Director of Operations for Sodexo.
Student Government members, athletes, students and faculty have all been affected by this new food change. Student Government has experienced the most affect this year with Sodexo, because of terms under the new contract.
“When SGA needs a vendor to cater an event on campus the contract states that they have to go through Sodexo first, to see if they can provide an efficient source,” said Joni Forsell, SGA member.“I think it is a good business move for everyone, it makes it easier for us as student government,” said Forsell.
Another group of students who has been affected by the food changes are the athletes on scholarship. Lindsay Rees, 19, is on a volleyball scholarship at HCC.
“We get $56 for two weeks on a meal card; it comes out to being seven dollars a day,” said Rees. The number three player chooses Pizza Hut as her preferred choice.
Elizabeth Johnson has been the Dean of Associate Science Degrees, at the Dale Mabry campus, for the past thirty years. She has seen vendors come and go quite frequently at HCC; her preference for the new food choices?
“I like the special “Simply To Go” products that they’ve introduced,” said Johnson. “I don’t believe Lackmann had those products, and they are a nice addition,” she said.
According to Johnson, the faculty of HCC does not recive any discounts on food, like athletes do.
Matthew Burda, 25, Ybor, has enjoyed eating at Sandella’s since their opening this fall. “I think the pricing is very reasonable,” said Burda. “I’d say on a ten scale, it’s probably a seven out of ten,” said the criminal justice major.
Dale Mabry campus student Julian Barrientous, 20, feels that it’s pretty cool that they've added Pizza Hut, which increased variety, but he is disappointed that the cafeteria closes at 2 p.m.
“They should leave it open til 4 p.m., because a lot of people take class until 1:45 p.m. and they don’t have time to go get food,” said Barrie.
“Hillsborough Community College is the only community college Sodexo is serving, in the state of Florida,” said Christina Cabanalla, Sodexo’s General Manager at HCC.
If you are a student looking for a job, you can apply to work for Sodexo. Employees are needed to help prep items, cashier, cater events or serve. Sodexo employees' starting pay is based on experience, with competitive wages and flexible hours. Full or part time positions are available. With the freshest of products being used, workers are needed during all hours; as the company runs a 24 hour operation. You can apply at any of the campus restaurants, or online at www.hccfldining.com, for more information contact Sodexo at (813) 253-7225.
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