While 2020 has been a year of change, Chartwells at the University of Arkansas has adapted with new procedures and continued to push the needle by introducing new concepts in the fall semester.
Over the summer months, the Food on the Hill team developed a robust safety plan. The following procedures were implemented and still apply to all on-campus dining locations:
- Each staff member went through COVID-19 training.
- Each associate undergoes a daily wellness check prior to shift, which includes a temperature check and series of questions to assess potential symptoms and overall health.
- The team sanitizes frequently, with high-trafficked areas being cleaned every 30 minutes.
- Plexiglass barriers are at all cashier stations and other interaction points.
- Posters, TV screen messaging, ‘This Item Was Sanitized At’ stickers and social distancing floor stickers are placed throughout all dining locations.
- The team has followed the seating capacity guideline stated by the Arkansas Department of Health in order to avoid over-crowding dining areas. There are also tents placed around campus for guests to take their meal and enjoy it outside in a shaded environment.
- 110 hand sanitizer battery-powered dispensers have been added across dining locations.
- Food in all dining halls and restaurants are served in to-go containers.
- All Chartwells locations went cash-free on October 5, as an additional safety precaution.
The application of the above safety measures did not stop the Chartwells team from keeping their dining program thriving with innovative food options, exceptional guest service and virtual engagement.
New dining locations, as well as old favorites have become a destination for many students.
- Brough Food Hall, previously Brough Dining Hall, now features nine new locations (Debbie’s Morning Drive, Ark-n-Style, Root for You, The Green Table, Talegate, El Cerdo, Herbimore, Passport to Pasta and Loaf + Pickles). This experience is unique because the customer gets a full meal on top of three freebie stations: a breakfast pantry, dessert station and a fruit/salad bar.
- Eureka Pizza now lives where Quiznos was. For one meal trade, the student gets a large pizza and a drink. The hours are also hard to beat, open seven days a week from 10:30 a.m. to10:00 p.m. Additionally, there are pizza box recycling bins placed throughout campus.
- Hill Coffee Co., established in 2019, is still just as inviting as opening day last year. They have continued to offer customer-favorite drinks like the Old Main, as well as seasonal drinks, homemade pastries and sandwiches. A new addition to this space is Sally the Robot, a customizable salad vending machine. With fresh ingredients stocked daily, the guest can simply purchase a compostable bowl from the Hill Coffee Co. and create their perfect salad.
Virtually, Food on the Hill has remained highly engaged with their Takeover, Win it Wednesday and Saucy Staff campaigns. They have continued to use the platform as a way to share dining updates, deals and how they continue to keep their guests and customers safe.
Despite the pandemic and regulations placed locally and nationally, the Chartwells team has referred to the motto, “We Are in This Together.’ This seeps into how the team continues to serve 7,000+ in-person meals a day, as well as to students in isolation and quarantine (1,338 meals as of Oct. 19). While they are prioritizing the safety of every guest, they are so appreciative of the amazing students that do the same for them by following the University guidelines.
To find out more about their dining program, visit their social media platforms @foodonthehill_ar on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter or visit their website: www.dineoncampus.com/razorbacks.
