ESU Expands Catering Options for Campus Venues

by Brian Osbourn

Emporia, KS (06/18/2024) — Catering by Fresh Ideas, Emporia State's new administrator for dining services, is now open to work with event planners. Under the new dining services contract, however, event planners are able to use other food vendors for campus events that are not held in the Memorial Union. This change offers planners more flexibility to select catering services that best suit their events while still enjoying the convenience of on-campus venues.

Event planners opting for external caterers will forego support amenities previously offered including Memorial Union-provided tables, tablecloths, table service, cleanup and delivery. The event host must handle these services. Fresh Ideas provides catering to all campus areas ensuring continued access to traditional support services.

Regardless of the chosen caterer or event location on campus, planners must coordinate with Memorial Union Conference and Event Scheduling. During scheduling, they will discuss any food service plans to ensure proper preparation of facilities, including trash removal. Conference and Event Scheduling also coordinates with Police and Safety to verify buildings are accessible and visitors on campus remain safe. Contact Conference and Event Scheduing by phone, (620) 341-5443, or email at schedule@emporia.edu.

Approval for having a food truck on campus or at a university event is required for each event. The process is currently being developed, and further details will be released by July 30. Until then, the university will grant approval or exemptions for food trucks on a case-by-case basis.

For catering questions or more information on hosting events at ESU, email catering@emporia.edu or call (620) 341-5907.