The long standing Sodexo Catering Company is rumored to be leaving Blackburn College in the coming year. Sodexo has been with Blackburn for eight years now and has a 10 year contract with Blackburn.
Malory, a Sodexo cook did not want to speak on the rumors of Ding failing inspections, but directed the questions to the Catering Department Manager who also did not want to comment. Alexis Aguilera, Manager of Dining and hospitality, turned down an interview and emailed to say that the story should be killed because the issue is private and should not include the entire school.
Steve Morris, the Vice President of Administration and Finance, oversees Blackburn’s dining functions. Morris said that Blackburn is looking to make some substantive changes to food service next year, meaning the fall semester of 2019. Blackburn is trying to decide whether or not to continue the block meal plans, and they are considering keeping the dining options open for a longer period of time. Blackburn is also trying to see if there can be more vegetarian options. While all these decisions are still up in the air, there will also be a bidding conference between catering companies. This bidding conference will consist of five catering companies, including Sodexo, who will be looked at based on what they can offer this school.
Morris did not know anything about Sodexo failing inspections, and that is not one of the reasons they are looking for different options. Morris said he is looking out for not only the school’s best interest, but also the students’. In order to consider any of these changes, Blackburn has to see what other companies could offer.
So, the question is, will Sodexo so be staying at Blackburn? The simple answer is that nobody knows yet. What Morris does know is that Blackburn will be ready to give students the answers to their questions around January. Any one of the five companies could come out on top. There is no need to worry, or get excited, just yet.