Clark University announced last spring that it would switch food providers from Sodexo to Harvest Table. The move took place over the summer, and Harvest Table began service in the fall. 

According to their website, Harvest Table is a food service provider with food options from “down the street and around the globe.” 

Two stations, The Chicken Shack and The Burger Joint, opened in the University Center this past summer. The stations introduced Clarkies to Grubhub, an online ordering service company.

The Table at Higgins

Harvest Table hopes The Table at Higgins (previously called Higgins Cafeteria) will provide students with many new stations and meal options. 

A yogurt and the fruit bar will be available all day, along with Kosher, Halal, and allergy-free options.

‘Napkin Talk’ is a new initiative from Harvest Table. They encourage students to make comments on meal options they would like to see in the future. 

The new stations are All Good, Cumin & Clove, Entree, Plant Power, Modern Kosher, Street Eats and Sauté.

All the meals are made from scratch daily. “Our commitment to sourcing 20% of our ingredients from vendors within 150 miles of campus ensures that the food you enjoy is not only delicious but also supports local businesses and promotes sustainability.” Said Sydney Adnew, Harvest Table Guest Experience Manager.

Harvest Table is creating a micro-farm inside Higgins, managed through Babylon Farms, a hydroponic indoor farming company, to grow fresh produce for the kitchens. Additional spices will be available to give even more flavor to your meal. 

The dining hall’s hours for the fall 2024 semester will be 7 AM to 8 PM. Breakfast is served until 11 AM, lunch until 2:30 PM, and dinner from 5 PM to close. A light lunch option will be available during the odd hours. These hours and the menus can be found online as well. 

The Bistro

The Bistro was remodeled over the summer. The diner counter behind the drink refrigerators was replaced with more seating options and a circle of enclosures holding drinks and ice cream. 

“These changes are designed to encourage a sense of community, making it a place where students can not only enjoy great food but also gather, relax, and engage with one another in a bright, open setting,” Said Adnew.

Napkin Talk was added to the Bistro entrance as well.

Harvest Table partnered with Grubhub for the new Bistro. The mobile app allows students to order ahead using their meal card, which is ready for pickup when they get out of class. There is also the option to order non-swappable items using either their Dining Dollars or credit/debit cards.

Grubhub and Topanga, a reusable packaging company, would be used “to revitalize and modernize the Green Box program, making it easier and more sustainable for students to enjoy eco-friendly meal options.” Said Adnew.

Since the switch, many of the swappable meal options have remained the same. A new soda fountain was installed during the renovation.

The other side options include french fries and will incorporate side salads and tater tots. Sushi and poke bowls are now being sourced from Basho, a sushi company, instead of Wild Blue Sushi, which is available daily.

The Bistro hours will remain the same as last year.

The Den/Cougar Cafe

The Den and Cougar Cafe will now be sourced by Boston’s Best Coffee instead of Acoustic Java and Starbucks. Boston’s Best is “a local, family-owned company known for their passion and expertise in coffee roasting,” said Adnew.

Many changes are ongoing. Harvest Table wants students to take advantage of all the options this new experience has to offer: “eating well is a big part of staying healthy and doing your best academically.” Said Adnew. 

Figure Caption: Iced and hot latte from The Cougar Cafe, photo taken by Ava Orofino.