Dining

Our dining strategy aims to provide more space, more options and less crowding. Three new temporary venues for dining are being added this fall. These areas will be tented, heated and lighted and will provide a variety of food options for students. There will be additional options for grab-and-go meals, and opportunities to preorder and pick up through a new mobile app. Catering of events and food provided at events will be very limited. In the cafeteria, there will be no more making your own food; instead, everything will be made for you, in front of you and according to your preferences.r preferences.

Meal Plans

The College is working to enhance student meal plans and provide more value for swipes at new locations across campus, as well as a new program for students living in housing with kitchens to have groceries delivered to campus. Details are being finalized and information on new venues and menus will be shared in the coming days. 

Dining Locations

Within indoor existing dining locations, seat counts will be reduced, queuing areas will be modified and takeout food will be encouraged to allow for social distancing and proper social density. Food stations at Sparky’s are being renovated to reduce self-service and provide more efficient serving. The Warriors Den will provide mobile ordering, as well as kiosk and in-person ordering options. In addition, the Sanctuary Coffeehouse, Dunkin Donuts, Mindful MAC and the Food Truck will also provide mobile ordering and pickup.

Construction of new outdoor tented patio venues at McQuade Library and the Rogers Center will provide additional seating for students to eat, study and socialize. A new mobile kitchen experience at the Rogers Center patio, an expanded Library Cafe with a pizza station and the Food Truck at the tented Gladstone Plaza will enhance outdoor seating options across campus.

Additional information about a new dining app, dining hours of operation and other notifications regarding dining options will be available in August.

Grocery Delivery

To reduce the need to leave campus for groceries, Merrimack will provide grocery delivery services (which can be paid for with Mack Bucks) to students who wish to have food delivered, particularly those who live in housing with kitchens.

Off-Campus Food Delivery Policy

Due to campus access concerns, delivery food for students, faculty and staff from off-campus vendors will be limited. Food delivery drivers will not be able to drive directly to campus buildings. The College is working to provide a convenient and safe central location on campus for food deliveries.

Food Allergies and Dietary Needs

The College has a dietitian on staff who educates students on how to maintain a healthy diet. For students with strict dietary needs, MyZone, a pantry in Sparky’s Place that is free from dairy, peanuts, tree nuts and gluten, will continue to be available.

The dietitian is available for complimentary consultations on topics such as the following:

• Food allergies, celiac disease or other special dietary needs
• Navigating dining locations to find healthier options
• Vegan and vegetarian nutrition

Food Service Worker Safety Training

All food service workers will receive extensive training from Sodexo, the College’s food service provider. This program provides in-depth education on food safety processes and procedures, including training on personal hygiene; proper use of PPE; cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing of surfaces; accepting deliveries; food storage; and food production.

Dining For Students in Self-Quarantine and Isolation

Students in self-quarantine or isolation who cannot go home will have their meals delivered.