Sage Buchman Late Night Meals

4/15/2020
Megan Weeks
 During the COVID pandemic, Russell Sage College only has one dining service opened

on campus for the few students who cannot travel home, most of the students being international

students. Currently, Buchman, a grab and go counter service, is closed. The concept is to open up

Buchman and offer grab and go late-night meals. These meals will be healthy comfort foods

provided from 5 pm-10 pm. Opening this late-night grab and go counter service will be efficient

and allow students who remain on campus a safe place to grab food, decreasing their exposure to

COVID. 

           The menu will provide a variety of healthy comfort foods, giving students vegetarian

options as well. There will be a total of 6 items offered; Panini, burger, and burrito will come

with a side of fries. The meals will be made ahead of time and packaged so when students come

in, they can choose between the six items and check out. Students will be able to use their meal

swipes, cash, or credit card to pay for their meals. Buchman will display additional options such

as fruit, chips, and drinks at the checkout counter where students can easily access while

checking out, limiting the amount of time spent in the dining area. See the sample menu at the

end of the page.

           I would be an acting manager who has training in ServSafe, food systems management.

My staff would consist of trained professional Sodexo staff who work under a corporation with

well-established policies and procedures. My team will include; chef, manager, prep cook, salad

cook, 2 line cooks, and three counter persons. Having three counter persons will make a more

efficient checkout system and allow students to keep the recommended six feet distance rule. 

            The consumers are Sage students who are not able to go home due to the Covid-19

pandemic. These students are young adults from the ages of 18-24, who may not be able to work

during this pandemic. Opening Buchman for grab and go late-night comfort food will offer them
something to feel a little more at home in this time of crisis. It will make them feel at ease,

knowing the school provides food for them to stay safe, limit their risk of exposure, and not have

to travel far or worry about not having access to food.  

           This dining service is located on the first floor of the Buchman Pavilion. Extending the

hours gives students a convenient meal option that is close to the resident halls. Students can

safely walk and stay close to their dorm without risking themselves or others. Students who do

not have transportation will not have to worry about not having food due to the easily accessible

location—providing them with healthy comfort foods that may not be available or easily

accessible elsewhere. 

           Other restaurants in the area are offering curbside pickup or deliveries. Buchman will

better serve the students on campus due to the convenient location. Some students may not have

cars to get the curbside pickup. Restaurants that are now offering delivery and did not before the

pandemic are charging a delivery fee. Some students may not have the extra money to afford the

charge. With Buchman being a part of the campus, it allows students to use their meal swipes,

therefore, do not need to pay out of pocket for meals. With the pandemic, restaurants have

shortened their hours of operation; as people follow the stay at home order, there are not many

people ordering food out. College students are extremely busy with their online school work and

may lose track of time and miss the hours of Mckinstry dining hall. With Buchman extending

their hours too late at night, it will give the students ease knowing they did not miss the

opportunity to get food.

            Buchman staff will be posting flyers on the sage campus, and an email is going out to the

students with a sample menu to spread the news that Buchman will be offering late-night meals.

Once open to keep the consumers interested, there will be weekly emails sent out to the students
about special offers or deals. There will be two raffles for a free meal, emails and flyers will be

posted on how to enter online to win. 

           To make the grab and go counter service quick and convenient, a fridge section with the

cold foods and a hot area for the hot foods will be available. There will be a cooler with drinks,

fruit, and chips offered for purchase at the counter service. Staff will be wearing matching

Sodexo uniforms to show structure and professionalism. There is a broad open floor concept

with easy flow from hot to cold food stations, allowing students to follow the six feet distance

rule. 
 On the right side is the
hot food counter where
students can grab pizza,
burritos, and Paninis.

On the left side is

the cooler section
where students can
easily grab their
salad and Buddha
bowl.
Drinks, chips, and fruits will be
offered, and can be easily grabbed
when checking out.