Robert Morris University aned Parkhurst Enhance Food CourtNACAS Quarterly
MOON TOWNSHIP, PA, September 8, 2011 --With an increase in student enrollment at Robert Morris University in Moon Township, Pa, the school has created a 24-hour living and learning environment through a newly renovated dining room, adding to the already healthy on-campus community.
According to Jonathan Potts, senior director of public relations at Robert Morris University, the growth of the residential population created a need to increase the dining hall space. "Since 200 additional resident students over last fall will be moving on campus later this month, the renovations to the main dining hall, called the Food Court, needed to be creatively designed using the existing footprint of 6,400 square feet. Moving away from the institutional look of our dining hall was an important step in improving the quality of life on campus," says Potts.
The Food Court will seat an additional 100 students, allowing a little more than 400 to dine in the new space, which is also outfitted with tiered seating, flat screen TVs, and a softer color scheme that will make students think they are dining in their favorite restaurant.
Working with Parkhurst Dining Service, the school’s food service management partner since July 1998, the dining team was part of the design process, providing input on how to enhance the space with a variety of nutritious and farm-fresh food offerings—a top priority for Robert Morris University administrators.
A new and larger salad bar will tempt students with healthier offerings. But, what’s different about this salad bar are the freshly prepared entree salads, already tossed with healthy toppings, using olive oils, more grains, legumes, fresh fruits and vegetables so that busy students with just one serving can conveniently fill their plate with a nutritious meal. There will also be a separate soup bar with homemade soups made from stock.
According to Russ Williams, general manager for Parkhurst Dining Services at Robert Morris, the biggest change is the addition of Freshens, the largest frozen yogurt and smoothie company in the country. "The Freshens concept will offer a variety of yogurts with mix-your-own granola, as well as other toppings, including fat free no sugar added yogurt, and fresh blended all natural smoothies," said Williams. "We will also introduce a new Freshens Crepe component that will feature made- to-order, portable crepes; utilizing the same natural, fresh and made-from-scratch process that Parkhurst utilizes to prepare all of its entrees."
Other dining highlights include Hemisflavors™, a concept that features more than 1,000 fresh global cuisine recipes prepared authentically with raw ingredients indigenous to Brazil, Greece, India, Lebanon, Mexico, Morocco, Thailand, Vietnam and Cuba; Bento Bowl, featuring cooked to order stir-fries and house-made egg rolls and wontons, and made-from-scratch fresh dough pizza prepared in a Tuscan oven. "All food will be served on reusable dishware and china," said Williams.
Parkhurst will continue to source local foods through its FarmSource™ program, a sustainable sourcing program that partners with more than 100 famers and growers in the communities we service to obtain high quality, farm-fresh foods for Robert Morris students and other guests.
Through FarmSource ™, Parkhurst and its parent organization, Eat’n Park Hospitality Group, purchases more than $18 million in local foods annually which supports the continued growth for local agriculture, by more than 20 percent.
"The Robert Morris campus community can continue to expect a very fresh dining program with many different and local options to choose from each day," says Williams.
The Food Court isn't only about dining variety, it's also about entertainment and community. Theatrical lighting was also installed for small performances. Over 25 monitors are also mounted throughout the Food Court to advertise news and campus happenings.
The Food Court is open Monday – Thursday 7:00 AM – 12:00 AM, Friday 7:00 AM – 6:30 Pm, and Weekends 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
About Robert Morris University
Robert Morris University, founded in 1921, is a private, four-year institution with an enrollment of approximately 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students, and a NACAS member. The university offers 60 undergraduate and 20 graduate programs. An estimated 22,000 alumni live and work in western Pennsylvania. www.rmu.edu
About Parkhurst Dining Services
A member of Eat’n Park Hospitality Group, Parkhurst Dining Services is also a NACAS member, providing exceptional culinary experiences and dining services to guests at the finest educational institutions, corporations and cultural destinations in its marketing region. Our foundation is built on personal relationships and exceeding the expectations of our guests and team members every day. Join us for a farm-fresh and sustainable dining experience. www.parkhurstdining.com or become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/DineAtParkhurst
Contact: Grace Hoyer
Parkhurst Dining Services
610-349-0844, cell
ghoyer@parkhurstdining.com
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