Sodexo expands campus dining initiatives to improve student engagement and well-being
Sodexo Campus has introduced new initiatives to enhance student well-being and social engagement on college campuses across the United States.
The company, which provides dining services on more than 400 campuses nationwide, is implementing changes based on findings from the 2024-2025 Sodexo Student Lifestyle Survey and feedback from its student research group, The Quad Squad.
Survey Findings on student mental health
According to the 2024-2025 Sodexo Student Lifestyle Survey, 50% of Gen Z students reported increased feelings of anxiety and being overwhelmed. 87% of students indicated that they seek a welcoming environment where they feel a sense of belonging. The survey identified campus dining as the primary way students interact with peers.
Drew Nannis, Chief Marketing Officer for Sodexo Campus, highlighted the role of campus dining in student engagement:
"We know that campus dining is the top way students seek engagement on campus, and few members of the campus community – professors, administrators, even RAs – see a student as frequently as the team in the dining hall.
"This gives campus dining programs like ours a unique and critical role to play. Through continued commitments to sustainability, leveraging student feedback, and evolving our food models and tech solutions, we’re creating culturally relevant, convenient, and meaningful experiences for students."
Sodexo’s focus areas for 2025
Sodexo Campus has outlined four key focus areas for the upcoming year:
Dining and well-being – The company plans to refine its dining offerings and environments to support students’ physical and mental health. Meal options will align with dietary preferences, and dining spaces will accommodate different types of interactions, including quiet study areas and communal gathering spaces.
Service and inclusion – Training programs for campus dining staff will emphasize awareness of students who may be at risk of isolation. Staff will be trained to provide customer service that promotes inclusivity.
Community engagement through dining – Sodexo aims to use dining spaces and meal experiences to encourage stronger social connections among students, faculty, and the broader community.
Technology and accessibility – The company will continue developing digital solutions and forming partnerships to enhance dining accessibility and efficiency.
Sodexo Campus recently introduced Food Hive, a campus convenience store concept that integrates local businesses, including those owned by minority and women entrepreneurs. Additionally, the company has partnered with the James Beard Foundation to bring chefs to college campuses as part of its broader efforts to expand dining experiences.
