The university has now seen three weeks with limited food options on campus since the Idaho Student Union Building food court was closed on Aug. 30. This is largely due to a staff shortage as well as product shortages.
University of Idaho Auxiliary Services and Idaho Eats initially put out a statement notifying students of the closure two days later and estimated the restaurants would be closed at least till Sept. 7.
UI previously had issues of complaints with the past food vendor Sodexo and the new vendor Chartwells planned to bring new options to campus, but many dining locations are currently closed or limited.
Currently open options include The Eatery, the Market, Stover’s and Einstein’s Bros. Bagels which has now reopened. Though, Einstein’s is only offering a limited menu.
John Kosh, auxiliary services marketing director, was able to provide estimates of when food places may begin opening back up on campus in phases.
“We are doing this phased approach so we can handle it,” Kosh said. “Let’s bring it back in a way where it will sustain itself and we don’t have to roll it back.”
The reopening of locations will be done individually, first opening to mobile orders on the Boost app, used for pick up orders, and then in person.
Qdoba (ISUB)
- Mobile only next week
- In person Oct. 4
Pom & Honey (Living Learning Communities)
- Mobile only Oct. 18
- In person Oct. 22
Cravings By Joe (Living Learning Communities)
- Mobile and in person Oct. 25
True Burger (ISUB)
- Mobile only Nov. 1
- In person Nov. 5
One World Cafe (Janssen Engineering Building)
- In person by early November
Chick-fil-A (ISUB)
- In person mid or late November
These dates are approximations, subject to change.
Kosh attributes the closure of locations largely to staffing, an issue impacting more than just positions on campus.
“We are just one of many institutions as well as businesses in the area,” Kosh said. “I see businesses all around town with limited hours.”
Idaho Eats has been in the process of hiring additional staff, bringing in higher positions from out of town. Still, they are struggling.
Hiring long term, full time positions can be difficult, with students not making good candidates due to inflexible class schedules.
Dean of Students Blaine Eckles remembers dining closures occurring in the past due to lack of staff, but not to this extent.
“A lot of positions, as an institution, we are having difficulty filling because we don’t have enough applicants,” Eckles said. “I’ve never seen it on this scale.”
The closures of dining locations have allowed resources, including workers, to be redirected to The Eatery instead.
Vandal Eats and Auxiliary Services have been reassessing sourcing and establishing backup suppliers according to Kosh.
“A great example is the Market,” Kosh said. “There’s a good portion (of products) that wasn’t expected to be there or is not there, but we found an alternative.”
Pom & Honey and it’s nighttime counterpart Cravings By Joe were meant to open with the beginning of the school year, but they are behind schedule. According to Kosh, this is due to supply chain issues and needing to get equipment for a new menu.
“An absolute critical blockage, in terms of getting parts and equipment needed to open,” Kosh said.
Being unable to get the equipment they need has also put opening on hold for True Burger. The campus One World Cafe location is also waiting on a new coffee machine.
According to their website, The Eatery is open from 7 – 10 a.m., 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 4 – 7 p.m. on weekdays.
During The Eatery’s gaps, students’ other options are The Market 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Stover’s Place 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. and Einstein’s Bros. Bagels 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Haadiya Tariq can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @haadiyatariq