Asa Daniels, senior staff writer
Over the last few weeks, Berry College students have noticed that Java City in the Memorial Library has been running short on supplies. This has ranged from snacks, drinks and coffee that students can order at the establishment.
In a statement, Jeremy Oshansky, accounting manager for Aramark, explained that this has been due to supply issues. Aramark is responsible for food services on campus.
“Like most businesses nationally, we are facing supply chain challenges as the pandemic continues to disrupt operations,” Oshansky said.
To address these issues, Oshansky explained that Aramark is in communication with suppliers.
“The Berry College Dining team has been focused on doing everything possible to proactively mitigate these issues,” Oshansky said. “We work closely with our suppliers, focusing on constant communication, nimble decision making and flexible menus to meet demand. We also are ordering more than we would normally, in order to try to mitigate the fulfillment gap.”
Assistant Vice President of Financial Services, Brad Reeder, reiterated that it is supply issues plaguing the ability of services like Aramark to provide their goods in a timely manner to customers.
“As hopefully all of us are probably aware of, as consumers in general, there are just supply chain issues all over the place, specifically in the delivery of raw materials, raw food, to be prepared and other quick grab-and-go options,” Reeder said.
Reeder also said that he is satisfied with the working relationship Berry has with Aramark, as both entities desire to service the needs of the campus.
“Berry College obviously takes very seriously any partner we engage to help represent the college,” Reeder said. “Aramark is a third-party that we have engaged to run our food services for the college since 2004 and they have been a great partner with us and are well respected in the higher education industry providing food services.”
Reeder went on to iterate that students with any concerns regarding the service, provision and creation of food should reach out to Aramark via email as a good first step. According to their website, students can begin by contacting Aramark retail manager, Ricky Hames at ricky-hames@aramark.com.
Reeder said that Aramark is always open to discussing the food services at Berry so that students know more.
“Aramark has been a great working with our students in various capacities so I have no concerns, no worry, about them being able to provide an effective response to students’ inquires,” Reeder said. “Specifically, their food services, they’re always willing and open to educate students – ‘hey this is, come on to our kitchen, this is how we prepare the food’ – so they’re transparent to share that information with students when approached.”
He went on to say that if there is a lack of communication, that students can reach out to him or other college representatives. Reeder can be contacted at btreeder@berry.edu.