Winter 2023 Campus Dining Today - 56

The Perfect Blend
Local partnership serves up global impact
Christy Dastoor
director of
communications for
the division of student
affairs, University of
North Texas
Kerri Sallusti
director of
communications & guest
experience for dining
services, University of
North Texas
The town of Denton, Texas, is known
for being unique and original. The
downtown square is lined with eclectic
shops, locally owned businesses, and
cozy cafes. Walking the sidewalks, it's
easy to become immersed in the rich
blend of history, culture, and community
life. Musicians play in the square while
families relax on the lawn of a centuryold
courthouse. It's idyllic while vibrant,
diverse while unified. Denton, much like
the University of North Texas (UNT), is
authentic, and that's where you'll find
West Oak Coffee Bar, a local favorite on
West Oak in Denton Square.
UNT students can now find the same
West Oak Coffee, part of the Voltage
Coffee Project, on campus, sourced from
some of the greatest coffee producers
around the world and roasted locally by
West Oak's talented craft-roasting team.
" I love that Voltage coffee is now at
The Market! " said Jackson Beebee, UNT
student. " My go-to's are the asiago
cheese bagel and espresso milkshake. "
A hyper-local community
partnership
When UNT's Dining Services made plans
for its newest campus retail location,
The Market by Clark Bakery, finding a
retail partner was more than a business
decision. It was about finding a partner
that aligned with UNT students and
the university community. UNT Dining
Services approached West Oak Coffee
Bar as a hyper-local Denton community
partnership.
" West Oak Coffee perfectly aligns with
the vibrant energy found on UNT's
campus, " explained Peter Balabuch,
executive director of dining. " Its sense of
purpose and global outlook resonates so
well among our students. "
UNT is home to more than 44,000
students from all walks of life with
different backgrounds, experiences and
interests. It's a center for artistic and
literary expression while being one of
the nation's largest top-tier research
universities. Students are innovative
and strive for excellence but also have
a deep sense of purpose and intention.
UNT is a place where students can come
together and discover their unique paths
and passions.
The story behind a cup
of coffee
West Oak Coffee Bar is part of the
Voltage Coffee Project, a company
committed to making the world a better
place. To understand how the company
plans to accomplish that, it's important
to understand the industry.
" We have the power and responsibility
to participate in something greater
than ourselves, " explained Matt Fisher,
president and CEO of Voltage Coffee
Project. " It's ambitious, but at Voltage,
we want to empower the farmers and
help them build sustainable livelihoods. "
While farmers may meticulously tend to
their crop, not every coffee plant yields
perfect fruit. Specialty coffee companies
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CAMPUS DINING TODAY | LOCALLY YOURS: EMBRACING AREA BUSINESSES FOR HOMEGROWN DINING
Winter 2023 Campus Dining Today

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Winter 2023 Campus Dining Today
