Office of the Chancellor

New Catering Procedures Implemented

July 16, 2025

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce the implementation of a new, exclusive catering and food service arrangement with Fresh Ideas Food, our campus food service provider. This change in procedures is designed to enhance the quality, consistency, and convenience of catering services across our campus while ensuring efficient use of university resources.

Effective immediately, all catering services funded by university resources will be provided exclusively through Fresh Ideas. This partnership aims to provide enhanced service levels for departments, student groups, and campus events while streamlining our procurement processes.

This procedure was developed through collaborative discussions with representatives from multiple PFW offices and departments that regularly utilize catering services. Their input has been invaluable in creating a framework that addresses our diverse campus needs while maintaining service excellence.

An overview of the procedure, which includes frequently asked questions, may be found on the Catering page of the Dining Services website.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we transition to this new arrangement.  Should you have any questions or require further information about catering services and options, please contact Todd McCrory, director of dining services, at [email protected] or 260-481-0440. 

Sincerely,

Ron Elsenbaumer, Chancellor

Krissy Surface, Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and the Student Experience