Offering fresher food, more of a retail atmosphere, and additional meal exchange options were priorities for the Hub this year.
According to Don Keith, general manager of Sodexo on NW campus, “Student surveys are taken yearly to help the Caf and Hub make changes based on what is on demand.”
Students expressed repeatedly a desire for fresher choices and a more retail-oriented system. Greater variety in meal exchange was another request articulated by students. “That’s when we brought in this ‘Game Time’ to help come up with a menu to give students more options,” said Keith.
Game Time food services came into the Hub to train workers for two weeks at the beginning of the year. “They come in every two weeks to check on us,” said Keith. Game Time provides the Hub with fresher foods since food is grilled on the spot, rather than being reheated. Keith said, “Last year, the Hub had faster service, but this year fresher food is served, so it takes longer to get your food.”
Game Time has helped enhance the Hub’s look, with its eye-catching signs and high-tech menus displayed on the TVs above the cash registers. Game Time’s physical characteristics and surrounding atmosphere creates a more attractive place for Northwestern students.
Last year there were three different options for the meal exchange. This year the Hub offers multiple kinds of wraps, subs, pizzas, and burgers. Grilled chicken sandwiches and chicken tenders are also on the meal exchange menu.
Requests such as bringing back Taco Salad Thursdays, offering gluten-free pizzas, or offering another side entree for meal exchanges are encouraged. “I’d like more feedback about the Hub and Caf. We go to SGA once a semester to get feedback, but we welcome feedback from anybody,” said Keith. Suggestions about the food or environment at the Hub may be directed toward Keith’s assistant, Katie Dykstra. Dykstra may be contacted via e-mail at kdykstra@nwciowa.edu.
The Hub will be having a grand opening for the Game Time near the end of this month.
