From moldy food to unsanitary environments and a plethora of critical violations, Capital students are getting more frustrated by the minute with Aramark’s unsatisfactory service.
Nikole Carr, sophomore, even created a Facebook group for students to share any complaints or photos concerning the food on campus. The group, Capital University Food Services, has about 150 members and continues to grow.
“I just want people to use their voice,” Carr said. “A lot of students want change.”
Carr sort of acts as a messenger for students who are not comfortable enough to reach out to the staff. Rather than go directly to the chef or the employees, students are free to message Carr with any problems.
“I just want other students to know that you go here, you pay to go here, and you should be able to speak out against what you think is wrong,” she said.
Carr went on to explain that she thinks that with as much as students are spending on meal plans, whether $100 or over $1,000, they deserve better than what they are getting.
“It doesn’t have to be five-star quality, but we should at least be comfortable going up to the MDR,” Carr said. “There should never be a day where we’re like, ‘I’m not eating there.’”
In upcoming weeks, Carr wants to begin interviewing students every week and posting their thoughts in the Facebook group. Her hope is that if she continues to raise awareness and keep the momentum going, the university faculty will begin to notice and hopefully make a difference.
“I’m not going to stop until we get some changes,” Carr said. “And I have all the time in the world.”
Carr even takes anonymous feedback from employees of the dining services to get their concerns out and acknowledged.
So far, Carr has not noticed any change in the food quality. She does, however, consider her work a success.
“Eventually I’ll start a petition, eventually the page will go public … I don’t want to rush anything,” Carr said. “Change doesn’t happen overnight. But it happens a little quicker when there’s effort.”
In the Facebook group, multiple students have posted images of unsatisfactory food that they have received. Katie Stanley, sophomore, found a dead bug on the lettuce from her chicken sandwich from One Main Café.
Brynn Kinsinger, first-year, received a moldy banana cupcake. Upon sticking a fork in the cupcake, it toppled over and revealed a wad of moldy bananas.
“I want to make it clear that the food in the MDR and OMC isn’t bad 24/7,” Carr said. “I want our food services to take responsibility for the problems it has…”
Aramark has begun to take responsibility and make necessary changes.
“We are making a number of efforts to address concerns,” Chuck Chapman, director of dining services, said. “We are doing more training with our staff and have made some recent staffing changes to improve our service to the students.”
He said that he has replaced four people from One Main Café so far.
Chapman also addressed the violations that have recently become a talking point of students. “A critical item can be as much as a box of paper in the paper room on the floor,” he said. “No paper towels in the paper towel dispenser at the hand washing sink…no soap, that’s a critical.”
“I can confidently say that we have corrected all issues since then and passed all inspections since that time. I take these inspections seriously and will not waste time in making sure that they are fixed immediately,” Chapman said.
The dining services now offer a premium night every other Monday night in which they serve more premium food (such as filet mignon a few weeks ago) to change it up a little bit.
Chapman also mentioned one of the concerns that came up at Dine with the Director was the need for more vegan options. Although the vegan options that the dining facilities put out are rarely touched, Chapman is going to continue to make an attempt to provide for those students. “If I’m handling three vegans, let’s say, that are actually enjoying it and getting their money’s worth then it’s worth me throwing it away.”
Chapman emphasized that he is not ignoring the complaints students have.
“Please know that I am staying on top of these issues and care deeply about addressing them,” Chapman said. “It is essential that when something is wrong with our service, we seek out a solution, and I am doing everything within my power to do just that.”
Chapman encourages students, staff, and faculty to reach out to him with any concerns. He can be reached at chapman-charles@aramark.com or by calling 614-236-6403.
“If there is absolutely anything you would like me to know please reach out to me, and I will be happy to help any way that I can,” he said.
