Segment Spotlight: C&U Foodservice
August 2017
College and university dining operators are preparing for an influx of new and returning students as the fall semester quickly approaches. Exploring the latest C&U dining trends can be beneficial for those involved in the segment, as well as commercial operators attempting to steal share from C&U operations. Let’s take a look at these trends and how Butterball can help you meet them, on and off campus.
- Allergy accommodations: Unfortunately, food allergies are becoming more prevalent. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that reports of food allergies in children under the age of 18 increased by 18% from 1997 to 2007. To accommodate allergies, colleges and universities are implementing dedicated equipment, prep stations and even entire allergen-free dining facilities. For your gluten-free foodservice needs, Butterball offers a full range of gluten-free turkey products (in fact, most of our products are gluten free, with the exception of turkey meatballs) and a variety of delicious gluten-free recipes.
- Mediterranean must-haves: Members of the millennial and Gen Z demographic are seeking ethnic and fusion dishes, and Mediterranean cuisine is proving to be a student favorite. These dishes are easily customizable, and they’re typically packed with flavorful, better-for-you ingredients. Made with a medley of spices, zesty red cabbage and carrot slaw, and cool tzatziki sauce, our Turkey Shawarma is a tasty and portable option for students on the go.
- Tech-driven dining: According to Y-Pulse, 95% of C&U foodservice directors communicate with students through social media. Social media, along with custom campus dining apps, can help students find nutritional information, see what’s on the menu and even see how many open seats are available in certain dining areas. Browse our Resource Center for the latest news about and tips for mobile ordering, digital menus and more.
Looking for more information? View our industry infographics for quick bites to build your C&U or commercial business.
SOURCES
Peveto, Kyle. Colleges provide more options for students with food allergies, The Advocate, February 2017.
Carbonara, Joseph M. Consultants’ Roundtable, Foodservice Equipment & Supplies, May 2017.
Allergen-Free: Colleges With Accessible Food Options For Students, Springible, February 2017.
The Top College Foodservice Trends for 2017, Food Newsfeed, December 2016.
The 50 Best College Dining Experiences, College Rank, March 2016.
The next hot ethnic cuisine: Mediterranean, FoodService Director, January 2017.
Top 10 Foodservice Trends on Campus, Convenience Store Decisions, July 2014.
Tanyeri, Dana. The Future of College and University Foodservice Is Now, Foodservice Equipment & Supplies, July 2016.
