'Yummy' changes to HUB, Folger for new year

Students can now grab some breakfast at the food truck, a burger at Folger or get their daily dose of H2O at Foster following dining changes made this summer.

Additions to dining facilities include Einstein Brothers Bagels, Burger Studio, a f’real milkshake station, a hydration station and a new P.O.D. in Putt Hall. Meal swipes are now worth $5.04, allowing students with a meal plan to swipe twice per meal if their total exceeds one swipe.

“The meal plan changes also include the removal of time zones and up to eight swipes per day,” said Jennifer Braughler, IUP Dining’s Marketing Manager. 

Braughler also said that a Gluten, Nut and Dairy “Free Zones” will be available at Foster for students with allergies and other intolerances.

The decision to offer these particular options was based on bi-annual surveys, intercept surveys and focus groups. 

“We also have experiences at other universities with these brands and felt that they would be a good fit for IUP,” said Braughler.

Another survey taken into consideration was a poll conducted on IUP Dining’s Facebook page, asking what f’real flavors students would like stocked in the HUB.

“Students definitely chose the shakes with the ‘stuff’ in them compared to the plain chocolate or vanilla,” Braughler added. “We are going to stock as many as we can.”

Einstein Brothers Bagels, located in the HUB, will offer assorted breakfast items including freshly-baked bagels, breakfast sandwiches and coffee.

According to Aramark’s website, the newly-established Burger Studio will allow students to use electronic touch-screen ordering kiosks to create their own burger “masterpiece.”

Karen Parker, Associate Vice President of Marketing for Aramark Higher Education said on their website that “Burger Studio allows students to create a customized meal when they want, using touch-screen technology that is already a part of their everyday life.”

The new P.O.D., located in Putt Hall near the suites’ courtyard, is larger than the Wallwork P.O.D.; the Munch Box and Java City, from Foster’s lobby, have moved to this location. Bagged lunches can be found at this location, rather than at Foster.

According to Braughler, the Putt P.O.D. store will also have a f’real machine in the future. 

In place of Foster’s Java City, a “Hydration Station” has been created in order for students to fill their water bottles with fresh, cold or room-temperature water.