Binghamton University is home to over 18,000 students.
All of whom, have diverse needs and preferences.
Food brings a community together, creates relationships and helps people feel comfortable, in a new place.
That's why at Binghamton University, we maintain strong relationships between our campus dining partners and our students.
To create a dining experience that is all-inclusive.
With a multitude of retail dining options and four resident dining halls, Binghamton University has something for everyone.
Here at Binghamton University, we have 20 different retail outlets.
The majority of which are here on the campus proper; four of which are on the University's offsite locations.
Within our Retail Operations, they will find a variety of different options.
National brands. Regional brands. Some of our own in-house, custom-made outlets that we've provided.
Customers recognize quality of products; a standard that they're used to.
So we try to provide those options in our brands, as well as our custom outlets that we provide to our students.
The MarketPlace, centrally located in the Union, is the hub of retail dining, on campus.
Here in the MarketPlace, if you want a pizza or pasta, we have that station.
If you want a slice, if you want a whole pie, macaroni and cheese, pasta with meatballs.
You can find that here.
We have a station that is Asian-themed.
We have a station that specializes in Indian cuisine.
We have one station that does nothing but sushi.
We've opened up a station where students can make their own quesadillas.
There's another outlet that specializes in chicken tenders and a variety of chicken sandwiches.
On the upper level of our MarketPlace, you'll find an outlet that specializes in Korean street foods.
We have a create-your-own deli.
We have a station that specializes in bubble tea, as well as a station that specializes in fruit smoothies.
And then lastly, we have a station that is solely for breakfast, where students can get breakfast well into the afternoon.
Pancakes or egg sandwiches, that they desire.
[Music]
The diverse dining experience on the Binghamton University campus, is due in great part, to the students.
When deciding on new concepts and dining needs on campus, the student culinary counsel, also referred to as the FCC, plays a big role.
This group of students, listens to the student body and collaborates with Dining Services and Administration to determine how to best serve the campus community.
Here at Binghamton University, we have a very diverse population of students.
Students from all over the world come here.
So we find, that it's very useful to work with the Student Culinary Council on campus.
To meet the needs of such a diverse population.
We get the opportunity to talk to administrators and to other students.
To kind of see what students want on campus and how administrators can implement that on campus.
So, we have the opportunity to be that liaison.
Add students, talking to administrators.
The MarketPlace features two stations, that were founded by Binghamton alumni and actualized in collaboration with the Student Culinary Council, and Dining Services.
We have two outlets here on campus that are unique to the retail operations.
One is our bubble tea station and one is our Korean street food station.
Both of these were concepts thought up by students.
They developed a business plan.
They presented these concepts to the Student Culinary Council.
They worked with us to provide some hours of operation.
And over time, this is something that we thought was unique; that we wanted to bring on campus.
[Music]
Chicken Bop, our Korean flavors station, inspired by New York City street food, was Dining Services' first collaboration with a student.
Sung Kim, founder of Chick-N-Bap . . .
Paved the way for future student entrepreneurs.
Sung created Chick-N-Bap while he was a student at Binghamton University.
And began creating dishes out of his house.
After gaining popularity, he worked with the administration, signed a full-time contract and has expanded his business to other colleges and universities.
Second Heaven, our popular on-campus bubble tea shop, was created by Leighton Blackwood.
Second Heaven actually started as a "what if . . ."
During Leighton's sophomore year, he felt like campus was missing a bubble tea option.
Hearing from other students, who love drinking bubble tea at home, and who were missing it in Binghamton . . .
Motivated him to bring this idea to life.
He spent the next two and a half years developing the business with the help of Binghamton University Dining Services.
And, his business partner, Darren Shi.
Second Heaven officially launched on September 1st of 2021.
I'd say Dining Services really values you know, the student inputs and the desires of the campus and the student body.
I worked with all of the SCC, the Student Culinary Council during my time, you know when I was bringing Second Heaven to fruition.
And, they provided a lot of insight into you know, what students were looking for; and also advocated very heavily to you know, to see us succeed.
And, I think it was really cool that the University was open to receiving the input of students.
In addition to retail dining, residential students also enjoy a multitude of dining options, right in their communities.
We have four resident dining halls across campus.
One dining hall is College-in-the-Woods.
The other is the Appalachian Dining Hall, C4 Dining Hall, as well as Hinman Dining Hall, which is our newest dining hall across campus.
And within all of these four dining halls, we have a large variety of options and different platforms.
Daily rotating, healthy and well-balance entree menus, vegan and vegetarian offerings . . .
Plus a number of specialty platforms can be found in our four residential dining halls.
They include, made-to-order deli sandwiches.
Pizza and pasta menus, a kosher kitchen, a halal station, a gluten-free grill . . .
Plant forward stations, build-your-own curry noodle bowl and a create-your-own salad bar . . .
With a variety of toppings, such as grains, vegetables, various mixed greens, meats, cheeses, melons and berries.
More importantly, students with dietary restrictions can eat safely at simple serving areas, that are free of the top allergens and gluten.
It's a cook-to-order station that offers two proteins.
Fresh steamed vegetables and legumes.
And the staff is a 100 percent trained and certified in allergen knowledge, in prevention of cross-contamination, to keep our students with allergens, safe across campus.
Students are encouraged to speak directly with one of our registered dietitians, to find options that are safe, enjoyable and nutritionally satisfying.
So, we do a lot of different things on campus.
I think one thing that students really like is the free and confidential nutrition sessions.
So, they can email us.
They can call us to set up an appointment and we're really available to talk about what it is that they want to talk about, as it relates to nutrition.
So, whether it's eating well on campus, or sports nutrition.
Or, you know, special diets.
So, food allergies, food intolerances, celiac disease, all of those things were available.
We also work with our executive chefs to ensure that there's wellness options: Vegan, vegetarian.
We do nutrition programming.
Nutrition events.
So anything that really has to do with health and wellness, we really have a hand-in, on campus.
And, we really love working with the students.
So, I think we do a really good job at taking a look at you know, the needs of students.
And, how diverse they are.
And, being able to accommodate all of them across our resident dining platforms, as well as in our retail facilities.
You know, if somebody is looking for food allergies and you know, gluten options, we offer those.
As well as vegan and vegetarian and a lot of plant-forward.
As well as you know, looking at things like our kosher kitchen; halal offerings.
So, really trying to meet the needs of all students, throughout the entire campus.
[Music]
Special events showcase the diversity of our campus, and offer additional unique offerings to the campus community.
We'll have special events in all of the resident dining halls, where can also kind of feature . . .
Some pretty diverse options.
Lunar New Year, Caribbean Night, Italian Night and Wasabi and Ginger; are some of the ethnic menus, students experience.
Dining services also participates in a global chef program, that brings chefs from all over the world.
Past global chefs have come from China, Australia, Poland, Denmark and France.
Students get to meet the chefs, experience new foods and learn more about the culture of the chef's country.
It's a great program.
Students really, really enjoy it and not only does it bring a diverse menu, but it also brings an education and an awareness of other people's cultures, as well.
Our dining experience creates a sense of home for students.
Not only through diverse offerings, but also by fostering personal relationships, within our campus community.
We see the students four years.
They are here five days a week; six days a week; seven days a week.
The staff gets to know their names.
They get to know what they like; what they don't like.
So around graduation time, we often find students coming in with their cap and gowns; taking pictures with the staff.
Providing them flowers.
Because we've had that; a relationship with the students, for the four years on campus.
At Binghamton University, we strive to create a home away from home, for our campus community through the comfort of good food.
The taste of home is everything.
Seriously.
You grow up, for what 18 years, at home or in your neighborhood, with the same taste and you want to have that continuously in your life.
You know, it's what's familiar to you.
It's what's important to you.
Alright? And, it makes you comfortable.
So, as a freshman, there's a lot of new things.
And, if you get that taste of home, that's really what makes you feel at home.
I feel like Binghamton does a good job at having this diversity on our campus.
To kind of cater to all the different people, on our campus.