Dining Services to launch food truck at athletic events in fall

A “food truck" operated by Dining Services will make its first appearance on campus in late August and is intended for use mainly at athletic events.

According to Director of Dining Services Stu Orefice, the food truck will primarily be used at lacrosse games and may also be used for additional athletic functions. The items that the truck will offer will “vary upon the event,” Orefice said.

While an outside company is responsible for the construction of the vehicle, the completed truck will solely be a University operation.

“It’s very flexible in design,” Orefice explained, adding that students will be able to use cash, credit or Paw Points to pay for popular Frist Food Gallery options such as the Ole! special.

In addition to stationing the truck at sporting events, the vehicle might be available for tailgates and other catered functions. Since Dining Services staff will operate the truck, Orefice noted that it is possible that student groups could request the truck for campus events.

Dining Services first conceived of the idea of a mobile food truck after its administrators abandoned a plan to construct a concession stand by Bedford Field, next to Class of 1952 Stadium, due to a lack of space.

“Essentially, we were taking the construction cost of a concession stand and converting it into a vehicle that we could use on campus for a variety of events,” Orefice said.

Boxes have been placed outside of all residential dining halls soliciting ideas for the name of the vehicle. Additionally, an email survey recently sent to students by Dining Services included a space for name ideas.

“Our marketing team and University services brainstormed a lot of ideas, and there was not one name that resonated with the group,” Orefice explained. “So we thought we’d ask faculty, students and staff.”

Butler/Wilson food service worker Domonique Pitts said that while she has not seen many students put suggestions into the box outside of Wu, she has brainstormed some ideas herself, including the possible name “Meals on Wheels.”

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Evan Chow ’16 has submitted multiple suggestions for names, and he said that he is excited about the truck’s arrival on campus because he thinks serving any type of food at sporting events will strongly appeal to students.

At the same time, Vicky Quevedo ’15 noted that she hopes the food truck will be able to provide a variety of options that similar mobile concession stands, such as the popular Nomad Pizza truck, cannot. In particular, she is looking forward to being able to purchase tacos at athletic events.

Yerab Ermias ’13 noted that while he is disappointed he will not be on campus for the debut of the food truck, he thinks other students will be pleased with Dining Services' new mobile concession stand.

“It’s a good idea, especially for sporting events,” he said. “Sometimes, you’re at a basketball game, and you just wish there was a greater diversity of food options there.”