Introducing the Trent Food Service Review Committee

Each week a new member of the committee will introduce themselves in their own words.  This is the third introduction of eight.

Dr. Michael Eamon

As the principal of Lady Eaton College, I represent the interests of the students, faculty and staff that are affiliated with the colleges.

I think that food and fellowship are key to the collegiate experience at university.  There is no better way to feel a sense of belonging, or to deal with the stress of university life than to be with friends over good food.  I am excited to have this chance to improve and possibly expand how food services at Trent.

I like to cook, but I love to eat... particularly Thai food.

Article in the Arthur

The Arthur, Peterborough and Trent University's independent press, has now posted an article about  the Trent Food Service Review Committee's first open forum, #OurFood, on their website.  The article, by Matthew Rappolt, "Trent Food Services Review Committee Holds Open-Forums" gives a quick and accurate account of what unfolded on January 17th.

The article can be found by clicking on this link: http://trentarthur.ca/trent-food-services-review-committee-holds-open-forums/.  

Please be sure to peruse the rest of the Arthur (http://trentarthur.ca/) afterwards to get a good sense of the pulse of ideas currently circulating through the student population in Peterborough and Trent University. 

Introducing the Trent Food Service Review Committee

Each week a new member of the committee will introduce themselves in their own words.  This is the second introduction of eight.

My name is Laura Storey and I am on the committee as the Director, Housing.

Residence students fund and are significant users of the cafeterias and so I want to represent their interests. As well, I want to represent the interests of a sustainable food service program for Trent. As an alumnus of Trent University, I have had the distinct pleasure of seeing Trent change over the last 13 years and I am eager to be part of the consultation and review for changes to food service on our campus.

My favourite foods are sushi and homemade potato leek soup.

We hope to see you today!

Introducing the Trent Food Service Review Committee

Each week a new member of the committee will introduce themselves in their own words.  This is the first introduction of eight.

Hello, my name is Tessa Nasca and I am the Vice President Student Issues of the Trent Central Student Association.

I am on the Food Services Planning Committee representing student voice in the food services planning process.

I am a total foodie at heart, and I am passionate about creating food services at Trent that meet the needs of our students. Ideally, I would love to see an affordable, accessible, sustainable, and delicious food at Trent, and I am excited to be a part of making this possible. Throughout last year and this past semester, I have been talking to students and figuring out what we need in our food system, and now is the time to bring these recommendations to light. This is our chance to build a system that will benefit Trent students for many years to come.

Oh! One more thing... my favourite food... Its a tossup between sushi and quinoa with homemade cacao sauce!

Welcome to the discussion!

Dear Trent Community,

Everyone eats! Everyone also wants a great food service on campus.

Trent University has struck a food services planning committee that will be working with the Trent community over the next several months, to get information and feedback about what you would like to see in your food services.

This is will be to help us develop a a "Request for Proposals" regarding the Trent food services, with the RFP document being ready for final consultation over the summer, and the RFP being issued in the fall of 2013. The RFP provides detailed information about the food services priorities and changes that potential contractors will bid on, so we want to ensure that it reflects what the Trent community wants and needs.

We have included several informational documents on our website: www.trentu.ca/foodconsultation/overview.php  and these are a consultant report by fsStrategy on Trent’s existing food services, a food policy proposal that was prepared by the OPIRG Trent Food Issues Group, and the Trent Central Student Association’s “A Raw Deal.” Each of these provides more background on food services from different perspectives.

Based on the reports, the committee has identified a number of key priorities. They include examining the current dining options and their fiscal sustainability, management and consultation models, different meal plan options (including for non-residents), how food services can connect with the community, local/sustainable food options and more sustainable waste reduction, catering options, balancing quality with affordability, and more. There is a lot to discuss!

We are planning to host a number of open forums in the winter 2013 semester. These include a big picture discussion on the Trent food experience; meal plan structures and dining options; food service outlets and models; management structures and community involvement in decision-making; priorities around cost vs. quality; and priorities around sustainable, local, healthy and inclusive dining options.

As well, committee members will be posting here, so you will be able to see regular updates about the committee’s progress. This is also your opportunity to provide feedback in the comments, or you can email us at trentfoodcommittee@gmail.com … we look forward to hearing from you! 

The Food Services Review committee members are:

Michael Eamon, Head of Lady Eaton College

Phil Grills, President, Otonabee College

Lori Johnston, Director of Conference Services

Jamie McDonald, Housing Facilities Coordinator (OPSEU representative)

Tessa Nasca, Vice President Student Issues, TCSA

Ashley Robinson, Prime Minister, Lady Eaton College

Nona Robinson, Associate Vice President Students

Laura Storey, Director of Housing