Springfield, OH – Wittenberg University will offer its students, faculty and staff fresh dining options through a new partnership with Parkhurst Dining, a family-owned food service management company headquartered in Homestead, Pa.
Wittenberg University selected Parkhurst based on its award-winning food service management and commitment to high-quality, made-from-scratch food.
"One of the primary reasons we partnered with Parkhurst is to improve the student experience on campus. We believe that Parkhurst’s culinary-focused approach to food service management, as well as their personalized services, mirrors our culture in providing a friendly and welcoming atmosphere,” said Casey Gill, Wittenberg dean of students. “We are particularly excited about Parkhurst’s commitment to their Culinary Gold Standards that ensure the best flavors, nutrients and freshness in their cooking.”
Menu items are naturally flavorful… using local agriculture sourced from FarmSource, Parkhurst’s sustainable sourcing program. Through FarmSource, Parkhurst works with more than 250 local family-owned farms and producers within a 150-mile radius of its locations.
According to Jamie Moore, Parkhurst director of sourcing and sustainability, “We conduct tours of our partner farms and producers of food during the growing season so our team can gain additional knowledge on how to feature more local products on their menus, all while engaging students on where their food comes from.”
Inspired by what they learn, many Parkhurst chefs will organize community supported agriculture (CSA) programs where shares of produce are pre-purchased by the campus community from these farms. “We also assist our clients with the know how to grow their own," Moore continued. "Once viewed as a novelty, campus gardens have become almost a standard at many Parkhurst-managed campuses where students learn how to plant, harvest and quickly appreciate the overall health benefits of fresh food – a true farm-to-table experience.”
The resident dining hall will feature a creative and culturally diverse mix of nutritionally balanced meals daily. Students can select from whole grains, grilled proteins, vegan, a fresh salad bar, as well as healthier snack options. Café and retail-inspired selections include fresh-dough pizza, fresh subs made-to-order with house-roasted deli meats and Salad by Design.
Firehouse Chicken and Build a Burger concepts will also be a popular spot for students where hand-formed fresh never frozen burgers, fresh grilled chicken and hand-cut fries are the standard. The new coffeehouse experience will feature We Proudly Brew Starbucks Coffee where guests will be able to purchase a variety of hot and cold beverages.
“We are working with the current Wittenberg team members to make the transition to Parkhurst as smooth as possible. It is Parkhurst’s practice to offer existing hourly team members employment opportunities within our organization. New Parkhurst team members are provided in-house culinary and service training to uphold our high-quality food and service standards,” said Bill Albright, Parkhurst vice president of higher education. “We look forward to bringing a variety of healthier, innovative and progressive dining and catering options to the Wittenberg campus community.”
ABOUT PARKHURST DINING
A member of Eat'n Park Hospitality Group, Parkhurst Dining provides authentic culinary experiences 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
