Anyone who finds themselves in one of the six food establishments at Sinclair Community College will now have new and improved menus items, healthier choices and community service events to look forward to this year, according to Tim Sweet, general manager of Food Services.
“This is a way food services is helping people live better and healthier lifestyles,” Sweet said.
Among these improvements to meet the dietary needs of the Sinclair community, a particular program highlighted and improved this school year is called “JUST4U,” Sweet said.
This program is designed to help customers identify the healthier choices that are available on the menus at the different venues within Sinclair, according to Sweet. There will be a sign at every section in the cafeteria categorizing the healthier items on the menu that day. Within the sign there are 12 different labels identifying and highlighting healthier eating that include calories, grams of fat, carbohydrates and an organic label, among others.
“We have a true partnership with the school and community. We feel part of the Sinclair family,” said Sweet.
Food services, Aramark, the food services company that manages all the cafeterias and cafes, since 1972, at Sinclair’s main campus and other satellite campus, are conscious of the different dietary needs of the Sinclair community, according to Sweet. Hence, all of their establishments, a vegetarian or vegan would be able to find different menu items that would meet their particular needs. There will also be a vegetarian item highlighted every week at the Tartan Market.
Nevertheless, food services are not just about food; they also care for the Sinclair community, according to Sweet.
“I would say 25% of the people employed by Food services are students” Sweet said. “Food services also provide internships to two or three students in the culinary arts program. Also, we do community service programs to reach the community of the Miami valley.”
Starting on Sept. 20, food services will be sponsoring “Gift of sight,” a community service program, where students, faculty, employees and the public can bring their disregard eye ware, Sweet said. The “gift of sight” program is designed to provide children in need of eyeglasses who can’t afford to purchase them.
“How many of us, who use glasses, have a pair or two we do not use? The eye ware’s condition is irrelevant,” Sweet said. “The company in charge of the program will repair and adjust the eyeglasses. So, bring your used, scratched, and broken eyeglasses and place it in one of the boxes around the food services venues and the bookstore. I hope that this program will be successful, as all of the other programs at Sinclair have been.”
At the Tartan market located in Building 7 Basement level, students can find oriental, Italian, American and other variety of food choices, according to Sweet. The oriental section has a variety of freshly made entrees from Chinese rice to, freshly cut and prepared in from of you, stir fry. At the Italian section, the best selling item, pizzas, can be found. The American section includes hamburgers, chicken tenders and other assortments of fast food items. Amount the other choices; there is an ample salad bar and a deli, where anyone can build their own sandwich or order one from their menu.
Additional nutritional information, upcoming events, daily menus, coupons and food specials can be found within their web site: www.aramarkcafe.com/sinclair