Campus Dining Undergoes Changes as New Management Steps In
Campus Dining Undergoes Changes as New Management Steps In
The influx of incoming student numbers causes changes in the current dining system.
The Mississippi College (MC) cafeteria (caf) will be managed by Mississippi Management Dining Systems (MMI), starting on May 8, 2023. MMI is a dining service company based in Flowood, Miss. Their services are already used at Belhaven University and William Carey University.The caf will undergo a management change, beginning May 8, 2023. The new team is preparing for the influx of students in the fall.
“We have the assets and the connections through the vendors we use to get good pricing and good food,” said the new caf manager, Steve Smith. “What really drives us as a company is the hospitality side.”
As an MMI employee, Smith served at Belhaven University for 8 years. Mike Prince, current manager of campus dining, will retire after working in food services in Mississippi for 28 years. Though the management is changing, students can expect to see the same faces in addition to new student workers serving in the caf this fall.
In light of the Leland Speed scholarship, Smith and his team are preparing to serve the unprecedented number of students walking through the doors next semester.
“It doesn't matter how large the population is, because we know it's coming, and we’ll serve the first person the same as the last person,” said Smith. “When it comes to dining, it’s gonna be busy, but we are gonna have a lot of fun.”
Smith sees the growth in student population to be positive. More money coming means that better options can be served.
Sysco is MMI’s main food service vendor as well as the current food service vendor at MC. The dining service also acquired Primos Cafe a year and a half ago, and a partnership between the university and MMI will bring Primos to MC. Primos is a restaurant chain with locations in Madison, Ridgeland, and Flowood. The cafe serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and sells freshly made bakery items.
“One of the goals is when they develop the land [across highway 80],” said Mike Prince, the current manager of the caf, “They’ll put a Primos over there.”
Another point of interest for the new management is the students who have food allergies and sensitivities.
“It starts with the disability services department then involves us,” said Smith. “Communication is key.”
Smith met with the disabilities services head, John Adams, to create a process for students with those nutritional needs. The caf will operate with an open door policy, making it easier for students to communicate their needs and problems.
“We find that the problem can be addressed as long as we know about the problem and that students are educated on what we offer and how we offer it,” said Smith.
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