Midland University and the innovative dining services firm, Fresh Ideas, have announced an agreement that will make Midland University the first Fresh Ideas affiliated campus in Nebraska. The agreement is expected to bring fresh and local foods, enhance accessibility, and enrich the dining experience on the Fremont campus. Known for its adaptability to community needs, Fresh Ideas has pioneered farm to table, mobile payment, and international cuisine programs on college campuses across the Midwest.
“A commitment to building a comprehensive student-centered college experience has made Midland one of the region’s fastest growing schools in recent years, and I am pleased this partnership will enable us to further enhance the student experience on a daily basis,” said Midland President Jody Horner. “Convenience, flexibility, and fresh and local options are of exceptional importance to our active and highly engaged student body.”
In addition to expanded choices, the partnership will bring more than $1 million in renovations to the university’s main dining hall with university officials anticipating completion prior to the start classes next fall. Renovations are planned that will enhance the atmosphere, accommodate expanded fresh and live cooking stations, and improve traffic flow throughout the facility.
“Midland’s commitment to innovation and service to students makes the institution an especially exciting partnership opportunity for us,” said Dennis Owens, chief operative officer and co-owner Fresh Ideas. “As a Midwest based company, we are thrilled to bring our unique take on dining services to Nebraska.”
In establishing the new partnership, university officials recognized a significant need for flexibility to meet the diverse needs of students on a campus with 27 varsity sports and more than 250 opportunities in the performing arts. As home to more than 800 student athletes, a successful partnership needed to accommodate the requirements of students with robust travel, practice, and class schedules while providing the fresh and nutritious options required for competition in college athletics.
“The typical Midland student carries a significant class load, is involved in athletics or performing arts, and is also active in one or more clubs or organizations on campus. We are very happy to have a partner in ensuring our students are able to do all of these things and enjoy quality meals,” said Midland University Vice President for Student Affairs Merritt Nelson.
Recognizing today’s students value information and are inquisitive about the source of their food and how eating habits affect them, Fresh Ideas has developed “Be Green, Be Healthy, Be Bold” programs. These encourage students to feed their minds as well as fuel their bodies in an integrated approach to wellness. Among the company’s most recognized initiatives is a Farm-to-Plate Program where, when possible, it partners with local farms to provide the freshest ingredients available.
At Midland, Fresh Ideas will strive to compliment and encourage on-campus living, provide creative and flexible meal plans and provide convenient grab-and-go options. Fresh Ideas also will manage catering services for on-campus meetings, events, and visits. Fresh Ideas will also implement its renowned social media programs to gather real-time feedback from students and staff that will enable the company to continually optimize the dining experience.
Under the terms of the 10-year partnership agreement, Fresh Ideas will begin managing dining services at Midland University on June 1, 2016.
ABOUT FRESH IDEAS
Fresh Ideas is a dynamic dining service management company based in Columbia, Mo. Our market concentration focuses on academic institutions and business and industry accounts. Our extensive staff of talented chefs and expert dining service professionals provides the freshest, highest quality, best tasting, full service dining operation. Fresh Ideas is committed to making every aspect of your dining service healthy and satisfying, while meeting your financial objectives and sustainability of our communities and our world.
ABOUT MIDLAND UNIVERSITY
Midland University, located just minutes from Omaha in Fremont, Neb., offers more than 30 majors and academic programs, and two graduate programs. A small, private liberal arts college, Midland University has become one of the region’s fastest growing colleges with enrollment more than doubling since 2009. Home to a unique 4-Year Graduation Guarantee and nearly 1400 students, Midland offers 27 varsity sports, 14 junior varsity programs, and more than 40 clubs and student organizations.
