For most new students, coming to college is the first time being out on their own – which includes the first time planning their own meals.
NSU Dining Services is here to help.
Dining Services is committed to providing students with nutritional options and information for healthy living – and with a wide variety of menu items, there’s truly something for everyone, said NSU Food Service Director Heather Schmidt.
“We have home-cooked meals that allow students to learn how to take care of themselves, and learn how to eat healthy and have a more well-rounded meal,” Schmidt said.
Read on for details of dining options at Northern:
Q. What are the campus dining locations for Northern students?
A. Wolves Den: The all-you-care to eat facility is located in the lower level of the Student Center and is the main dining hall for students.
Einstein Bros. Bagels/Caribou Coffee: Also in the lower level of the Student Center, Einstein’s offers bagels, specialty coffee drinks and grab-and-go items.
Papa John’s Pizza: This new grab-and-go pizza restaurant is located in the newly opened Great Plains East residence hall.
POD: Provisions on Demand is the new convenience store, also located within the new Great Plains East residence hall.
Q. What are dining hours during the school year?
A. Fall semester 2018 hours are as follows:
Wolves Den:
Monday-Thursday
7:30-10 a.m.
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
5-7 p.m.
Friday
7:30-10 a.m.
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
5-6:30 p.m.
Saturday
11 a.m.-1 p.m.
5-6:30 p.m.
Sunday
11 a.m.-1 p.m.
5-7 p.m.
Einstein Bros. Bagels:
Monday-Thursday
7:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
Friday
7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday
Closed
POD:
Sunday-Thursday
10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Friday-Saturday
10 a.m.-9 p.m.
(Open to the public during normal business hours; later for Northern students accessing the facility with their ID cards)
Papa John’s:
Sunday-Thursday
11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Friday-Saturday
11 a.m.-8 p.m.
(Open to the public during normal business hours; later for Northern students accessing the facility with their ID cards)
Q. What different meal plan options are offered at Northern?
A. Schmidt said all of the plans are broken down by number of meals offered and amount of flex dollars, which can be used at any of the dining locations. There’s something for everyone, ranging from the Wolf Unlimited, which includes unlimited meals and $250 flex dollars for the semester, to the Wolf All Flex plan, which includes flex dollars only.
More information about each meal plan, including the cost, can be found on the NSU Dining Services Webpage.
Q. What are the new options planned for Great Plains East?
A. As the name suggests, the new POD offers Provisions On Demand. That includes beauty and hygiene items, groceries such as fresh fruits and breads, grab-and-go lunch items; and even a F’real machine for delicious ice cream shakes.
The Papa John’s Pizza is a limited store, offering grab-and-go service. But it still includes several options, including 8-inch pizzas, breadsticks, wings and desserts.
Q. Is Einstein Bros. Bagels now offering Caribou coffee?
A. Yes – starting in July, Einstein Bros. Bagels began its partnership with Caribou. Schmidt said Einstein’s is not necessarily gaining menu items, but will now be using an improved product – Caribou coffee beans, coffee, smoothie mix, etc. Caribou specialty drinks – turtle mocha, caramel high rise, etc. – will also now be offered. As a partnership, she said, it’s really about adding higher quality.
Q. Are healthy options available for students?
A. Nutrition information is posted for every meal in the Wolves Den. Schmidt said Aramark, which operates Northern’s dining services, is also taking steps to be more health conscious, including cutting back on calories in its food offerings, and striving to make students more informed and aware.
Q. What options exist for students with special dietary needs, such as allergies?
A. Students with special dietary needs are encouraged to contact NSU Dining Services, Schmidt said, and staff members will sit down with them to discuss their needs and restrictions and let them know what options are available for them.
The Wolves Den offers gluten-free and vegetarian options, and all ingredients are posted. Einstein’s also offers soy and almond milk for customers who need to avoid dairy. Schmidt said all staff members are trained on proper measures to prevent cross-contamination.
Again, Schmidt stressed that communication is key – Dining Services will gladly work with students to figure out a way to meet their needs. For more information, contact Aramark at 605-626-2928 or schmidt-heather@aramark.com.
Does Dining Services ever coordinate with seasonal events on campus?
Schmidt said sometimes Dining Services will partner with the university to offer special menu items during campus events, such as Black History Month and Culturefest. Aramark also offers limited time offers in the Wolves Den, featuring fun promotions such as “Viva La Veggies.”
For more information about meal offerings at Northern, visit the NSU Dining Services webpage.