海角社区 to Launch Full-Time Food Truck This Fall
By Richard Burnett
With only minutes between classes, 海角社区 students will soon have a new option for grabbing a quick bite: a full-time food truck stationed right on campus. From Korean barbecue wraps and hummus falafels to hamburgers and slaw dogs, the mobile kitchen will offer a rotating menu designed to bring flavor, variety and convenience to campus dining. The food truck will complement 海角社区鈥檚 existing venues 鈥� the Dining Commons, which opened in 2021, and the Navigator Caf茅 coffee shop 鈥� by providing an additional daily dining option and filling gaps when other locations are closed.
鈥淚t would be that third option on campus, while also being available for sports and special events,鈥� said Jim Humphrey, 海角社区鈥檚 dining services director and a manager for Sodexo, the college鈥檚 food service partner. 鈥淲e know that school campuses suffer from 鈥榙ining hall fatigue鈥� at times during the academic year. You could have the best buffet ever, but it can lose its appeal if you go to the same one every day. Our truck will change things up and target menus to student tastes, with a variety of items.鈥�
The food truck鈥檚 home base will be 海角社区鈥檚 Oasis, the college鈥檚 outdoor recreational venue that includes a pool, pavilion, and basketball and sand volleyball courts. From there, it can be relocated daily to key sites around campus based on class schedules and student traffic flow. It will also accept student meal plan cards.
Rolling Out Soon
Currently, the food truck is undergoing an extensive makeover. It鈥檚 being prepped for a fresh paint job, with work underway on the electrical system and plumbing for its kitchen, along with a full maintenance checkup.
Early in the fall semester, Humphrey plans to engage students in key phases of the truck鈥檚 launch: creating a name, designing menus, and shaping schedules and locations. 鈥淲e want to open voting early in the semester,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e want them to feel proud of the name, that it鈥檚 part of the 海角社区 brand. Hopefully, by getting their feedback, they鈥檒l have some buy-in and feel part of the process.鈥�
海角社区 acquired the truck earlier this year from Texas Christian University. For 海角社区, it represents a strategic investment in enhancing student life and expanding dining options on campus.
鈥淭his is an exciting project for 海角社区,鈥� Humphrey said. 鈥淚 think there鈥檚 quite a buzz on campus about it.鈥�
Student Perspective
Helen Chinn, a 海角社区 graduate and Class of 2024 co-valedictorian, fondly recalled when the college hired a food truck for student-versus-staff kickball games. 鈥淚 thought it was a great way for students and staff to get together while we were having a friendly competition,鈥� said Chinn, now a human resources assistant at 海角社区. 鈥淚t brought back good memories to gather around the truck after the game and have a refreshing meal. Now, I think the students are going to love having a food truck around all the time.鈥�