Food trailer offers new option for students and community

A food trailer with an expanded menu will provide another option for students to buy food at special events on the University of North Georgia's (UNG) Blue Ridge, Cumming and Dahlonega campuses.

The trailer — think food truck, but this one has to be hauled around — is debuting at home soccer games this spring. It will be used at other student events as it rotates among the three UNG campuses that receive dining services from Aramark.

Hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches, nachos, popcorn, candy, and cookies will be available at the games, as well as coffee, hot chocolate and bottled drinks.

A more extensive menu will be available at larger events or for catering purposes that can be booked by student groups. Options include beef or chicken Philly sandwiches on slider rolls, a mojo chicken plate, Korean pork tacos, Reuben dogs, Chicago-style hot dogs, cheese-steak dogs, burgers, and Italian meat or grilled chicken quesadillas.

Thomas Dove, Aramark manager at UNG, foresees Spring Jam, Fall Jam, and Fourth of July being among the events where the food trailer could be used.

"It provides us another outlet to serve athletic contests and special events," Dove said.

DeEnna Walters, executive director of auxiliary services and related units, said the food trailer is the result of student requests for food options at events on the Gen. William "Lipp" Livsey Drill Field and athletic contests.

"I expect students and the community attending those events will enjoy this new service," Walters said. "We're ready and looking forward to offering this to the campus community."

Derek Suranie, associate athletic director for internal operations, said the upgraded food service pairs well with other improvements at the soccer facility, such as the new video scoreboard and signage for Lynn Cottrell Park.

"It provides a lot more opportunities and will allow for those offerings to be in more line with what's offered at baseball, softball and basketball games," Suranie said. "Aramark has been fabulous to work with."

Jimmy Martens, a freshman from Gainesville, Georgia, pursuing a degree in political science with a pre-law concentration, is a Dahlonega Campus senator in Student Government Association (SGA) and serves on the auxiliary committee. He said any time this new food option is brought up at SGA meetings, the feedback is positive.

"Having it at the games makes it convenient for us," Martens said. "Hopefully everyone will have a chance to try it. I'm excited for it."