Winter 2023 Campus Dining Today - 54

Uniquely UF
Local makes its mark at the University of Florida
Andrew Lipson
vice president of
operations, Florida
Fresh Dining
At the University of Florida (UF), the
commitment to student experience extends
beyond classrooms-it includes cultivating a
community that celebrates local businesses,
flavors, and innovation. In collaboration
with Chartwells Higher Education, the
university has embarked on a culinary
revolution, reshaping its dining landscape
by prioritizing connections between
students and local businesses.
The cornerstone of this initiative is the
" Florida First " commitment. UF's Florida
Fresh Dining program pledged to prioritize
sourcing products from Florida, while
also reaching out to businesses within
a 250-mile radius of the campus. This
strategic move aims to foster a stronger
bond with the vibrant local community and
create a unique student dining experience.
With more than 50 dining locations, this
community partnership ensures local
products or flavors are impacting UF's
campus-wide dining experience.
Unique to UF's student union is the Taste
of Gainesville. This location opened as a
revolving restaurant space showcasing
local favorites like Fat G's BBQ and other
monthly rotating restaurants. This initiative
provides a dynamic dining experience for
the university community while connecting
to local businesses.
" UF and Florida Fresh Dining have been
a pleasure to work with for the past year
and a half, " said Gregory Brown, owner of
Fat G's BBQ. " Our partnership with UF has
been crucial to our success and a consistent
leg of our business in uncertain times. The
Fat G's family could not be more grateful to
serve the students and staff alongside our campus
partners. "
Luke's Bagels is another shining example of Florida
Fresh Dining's commitment to providing more local
options on campus. Founded by a UF grad, Luke
brought a taste of New York to Gainesville, creating
a unique and delicious local offering. Through this
collective initiative, Luke's Bagels are now available
at on-campus markets.
Further, Florida Fresh Dining swapped national
brands with local gems, featuring Mi Apa Latin Café
and Burger 352, showcasing the best of local flavors
and ingredients. When the campus community
asked for extended healthy choices, the dining
operation partnered with UF's Health Sciences
Campus to open Big Island Bowls, offering acai
bowls, rice bowls, and tacos that became an instant
hit.
Sweet Berries Eatery and Frozen Custard, a local
Gainesville favorite, transformed the space once
held by a national brand into a sweet dining
destination offering fresh sandwiches and delicious
desserts. Owner Jane Osmand said the partnership
has been positive on multiple levels.
" As a popular, established local business in
Gainesville, we were excited to partner with Florida
Fresh Dining and UF to bring our food closer to
the student population, " Osmand said. " It has
been fun, and we love serving students who love
our food. We have also been able to provide good
part-time jobs for students wanting to work with
us. As UF graduates ourselves, working with Florida
Fresh Dining has given us the opportunity to reexperience
campus life. "
Adhering to evolving desires for more niche and
local concepts, Florida Fresh Dining has been
transitioning from its many national brand coffee
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CAMPUS DINING TODAY | LOCALLY YOURS: EMBRACING AREA BUSINESSES FOR HOMEGROWN DINING
Winter 2023 Campus Dining Today

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