Purchasing Information

The Food Stores operation provides food purchasing, storage and delivery services for all food service operations on campus. Further, any food products required for academic research or teaching purposes are obtained through this operation.

Controlled temperature environments are available ranging from ambient to -10 degrees below zero. Research projects must be food stable and are approved on a project-by-project basis. Subject to availability, refrigerated box trucks may be rented for short-term needs.

Food Products

In addition to products for food service departments, sourcing and purchase of items for hospitality including catering for meals, coffee, soft drinks, and other food items are subject to pre-approval by Food Stores and the department of Environmental Health-REM. Potential suppliers must have recent successful Board of Health inspections and conform to the standard terms and conditions on the Purchase Order. For reoccurring needs, Food Stores will set up Standing Orders.

Departments are encouraged to utilize University catering and hospitality sources whenever possible.

Beverage Agreement

The University has contractual obligations to generally utilize "Coca-Cola" products for cold beverage requirements thru June of 2008. Requested exceptions are subject to review by the Director of Food Stores.

Food Service Equipment for Employee Use

Refrigerators, microwave ovens, and dishwashers may be furnished for areas that are designated employee lounges, or areas regularly used by employees during lunch periods for eating carry-in meals. Ariba routing for this equipment should include appropriate departmental approvers in addition to the fiscal routing. Food Stores-Purchasing Services will determine equipment specifications, and will follow the standard bid process as projected costs warrant. The department will be responsible for maintaining the equipment in a safe and sanitary fashion and will be charged for any costs associated with installation, repair and replacement of equipment and periodic microwave inspection. Small appliances (coffee makers, coffee carafes, toasters, can openers, etc.) and utensils cannot be purchased for these areas with University controlled funds.

Vending

The director of Food Stores is responsible for the execution of agreements for the installation and operation of all vending machines on campus.

Obtaining Machines

A request for vending machines for any particular area should be submitted by the building deputy to the director of Food Stores. The selected location will be reviewed and any cost associated with preparing the site for machines (electrical work, water lines, etc.) will be charged to the requesting department in self-supporting areas. In academic and administrative buildings, the cost for site preparation will be paid from central funds.