As a food service director, you play a critical role in ensuring that your campus community has access to nutritious, delicious and sustainable food.

But with so many competing demands on your time and resources, knowing where to focus your efforts can be challenging. That's where a group purchasing organization (GPO) can help.

Here are six ways a GPO can support food service directors to improve the campus experience.

1. Promote sustainability — Entegra is committed to sustainability and can help foodservice directors implement sustainable practices that reduces waste, conserve energy and support local communities. From increasing the mix of plant-forward dishes to responsible, sustainable sourcing, foodservice directors can play a key role in positively impacting the environment and providing students with healthy, ethically sourced food.
2. Streamline procurement process — A GPO like Entegra can help campus foodservice directors streamline the procurement process by leveraging our purchasing power to negotiate better prices on a wide-range of high-quality products. This saves time and reduces costs, which can be used to improve other areas of the campus experience. In addition, partners like Entegra regularly share actionable insights on procurement and supply chain management to help foodservice directors navigate challenges on the horizon and make more informed decisions.
3. Provide access to a broad range of products — At Entegra, we work with multiple suppliers to offer foodservice directors access to a wide range of products that meet the specific needs of their campus community. Campuses can also access sustainably sourced products, enabling food service directors the opportunity to meet sustainability goals. Through Entegra’s Local and Direct Program, foodservice directors can also procure from local and regional suppliers, diversifying their supply chain and supporting local businesses and communities.
4. Ensure high-quality products — At Entegra, we work with suppliers to ensure that their products are of a high quality and meet industry standards, with supply chain traceability built into the process. By working with a GPO, foodservice directors can be confident that they serve their campus community with safe, nutritious and delicious food.
5. Staff training – Foodservice at campus relies on full-time, part-time and student employees, which can present training and operational challenges due to different skill levels and experience. At Entegra, we can support campuses with staff training to ensure that team members are up to date on the latest food safety regulations, familiar with sanitation and hygiene standards and operate effectively and efficiently. With partners like Pineapple Academy, foodservice staff can access short, “snackable” learning modules, providing training. With better-trained staff, service levels and the campus experience can be improved.
6. Tap into the latest food trends — As a university dining GPO, Entegra’s culinary experts can help foodservice directors stay abreast of the latest food trends and access menu planning and recipe development support. By bringing the latest global flavors and trending dishes to life, foodservice directors can engage and excite students, especially via social media, improving their campus dining experience.

From streamlining the procurement process and providing access to a broad range of products to offering support and expertise while promoting sustainability, a GPO can be a valuable asset to any food service director looking to enhance the campus experience.

For more information on how we can benefit your college or university, contact our procurement experts or call 1-866-Entegra.

April 27, 2023