New dining services arrive on campus, open to the WC community – The Elm

By Grace Apostol

News Co-Editor

A new year at Washington College brings an entirely new dining service plan to students. Originally announced on May 5, the College’s news listing released an article regarding a new partnership for dining services on campus.

“Family-owned and operated AVI Foodsystems has been announced asWC’s new culinary and hospitality partner, taking over management of all food services on campus beginning July 1,” the article said. “This includes full management of all dining options on campus, plus the catering division for special events.”

Acquired in the middle of the summer, AVI Foodsystems implemented many new dining options for the campus community.

According to the “Washington College Meal Plan” document on the Dining Services website, all dining options in Hodson have changed. “Dining options at the Hodson Culinary Center include a variety of innovative concepts and a full range of culinary dishes from traditional to international dishes.”

Aside from the dining hall, Hodson will host Boar’s Head deli, Cravetown (which used to be Martha’s), Freshens Food Kitchen, and Java George which will serve Starbucks Coffee. Each of these will be located downstairs of Hodson Hall. 

The dining hall will serve several new options, including plant-based dishes at Roots and comfort food at Homestyles.

AVI Foodsystems works to provide healthy foods to students. According to the AVI document, “At AVI Fresh, our goal is to provide a variety of healthy foods, made from scratch, in a fun atmosphere. We work to enrich your dining experience by making it eventful and enjoyable.”

Executive Chef of AVI Food Services Korey Goodman arrived on campus with the new dining company. “I had the opportunity a few months back to consider this a move, and I am glad I did it,” he said.

Before coming to the College, Goodman worked at Keuka College in Keuka Park, N.Y., for 15 years. Goodman feels lucky to have a team by his side.

“What I am very lucky [to have] is the team that I have here, that have been here, some of them a couple decades,” he said. “So, it is working side by side with my team, which is an awesome team.”

A part of this team is dish room lead Roshira Miller who has worked at the College for 15 years.

When it comes to what excites her about the new dining services, she said, “the different ventures, upcoming events, [and] the students and how they respond.”

A part of AVI Food Services, according to Goodman, is the research and development team that includes a corporate culinary team that develops menus and recipes for production systems.

“It’s coming up with fresh ideas,” Goodman said regarding new implementations in the dining services from AVI. “In addition to the menu we have ‘Produce 365.’ We are going to feature a produce of the month that might show up in three to four different locations three to four different times a week.”

The hours for the fall semester in the dining hall are from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. weekdays, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. Boar’s Head and Freshens are open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays, Java George is available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays, and CraveTown is open from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. weeknights and 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. on weekends.

Photo by Grace Hazlehurst

Photo Caption: New dining options come to campus with arrival of dining service, AVI Foodsystems.