2008 Woodie Awards
Dining committee selects Meriwether Godsey to replace Sodexho
Deena Zaru
Issue date: 4/11/08 Section: News
"We are honored and excited to have been picked as a food provider for Guilford," said Marie (Rie) Meriwether Godsey, president of Meriwether Godsey. "We're a great fit with Guilford because of our values and size. We are large enough to compete with the larger companies but we're small enough to remain very hands on."
Meriwether Godsey, an employee-owned dining company, was awarded a multi-year contract, which will begin in August 2008.
A Dining Services Advisory Committee comprised of 16 members, four of which are students, unanimously chose Meriwether Godsey as a food provider, as oppose to Sodexho or Bon Apetit.
A total of six students were involved in the decision-making process: seniors Brennan Aberle, Liz Reilley and Katie Yow, junior Menemsha Milnor, sophomore Jabari Sellars, and first-year Maia Buess.
Aberle said that four students were involved at any given point in time, to represent the four grades.
"I was very happy with the process," said Gerald Boothby the vice-president for finance and administration. "By the end of the process there was consensus between all 16 members. This experience was a great example of the Quaker tradition. There was good communication and a good presence because everyone was involved."
Chabotar said that he expects a smooth transition from Sodexho to the new vendor. However, Aberle said that some adjustments need to be made and might take time.
"Since Meriwether Godsey will be doing mostly scratch-cooking, while Sodexho is more about opening boxes and putting stuff in the oven, the staff will need to be trained," Aberle said. "It's going to take a lot of work from them and the students to prevent problems."
Dean for Campus Life Aaron Fetrow, who was also a part of the committee, said that he particularly appreciated student input and dedication to this issue.
"The students did a phenomenal job and they respected that everything on the process was confidential," Fetrow said. "They resisted the pressure and kept the information to themselves. It showed how mature and responsible our students are. I was really impressed with the process."
Meriwether Godsey, an employee-owned dining company, was awarded a multi-year contract, which will begin in August 2008.
A Dining Services Advisory Committee comprised of 16 members, four of which are students, unanimously chose Meriwether Godsey as a food provider, as oppose to Sodexho or Bon Apetit.
A total of six students were involved in the decision-making process: seniors Brennan Aberle, Liz Reilley and Katie Yow, junior Menemsha Milnor, sophomore Jabari Sellars, and first-year Maia Buess.
Aberle said that four students were involved at any given point in time, to represent the four grades.
"I was very happy with the process," said Gerald Boothby the vice-president for finance and administration. "By the end of the process there was consensus between all 16 members. This experience was a great example of the Quaker tradition. There was good communication and a good presence because everyone was involved."
Chabotar said that he expects a smooth transition from Sodexho to the new vendor. However, Aberle said that some adjustments need to be made and might take time.
"Since Meriwether Godsey will be doing mostly scratch-cooking, while Sodexho is more about opening boxes and putting stuff in the oven, the staff will need to be trained," Aberle said. "It's going to take a lot of work from them and the students to prevent problems."
Dean for Campus Life Aaron Fetrow, who was also a part of the committee, said that he particularly appreciated student input and dedication to this issue.
"The students did a phenomenal job and they respected that everything on the process was confidential," Fetrow said. "They resisted the pressure and kept the information to themselves. It showed how mature and responsible our students are. I was really impressed with the process."
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
pat kelleher
posted 4/14/08 @ 9:51 AM EST
Great news - my son was very unhappy with Sodexho and I was surprized that a Quaker school would have such a partner as they. I hope the new firm will serve fresh food in an enviornmentally responsible manner. (Continued…)
Barbara Phillips
posted 4/14/08 @ 12:16 PM EST
The quality of the cafeteria was the worst part of my daughter's four years at Guilford. It is a shame when students are forced to scramble for food in their dorm rooms because the cafeteria is so undesirable. (Continued…)
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