August 14, 2020
Dear students, faculty, and staff,
We are excited about the fall semester! As you’d expect, we’re implementing important sanitation and service measures to ensure that you can dine at Reed as safely and comfortably as possible.
While COVID-19 safety is a key priority, it is not our only one. We still believe that food plays an important role in individual wellness and in building culture and community here at Reed. Our chefs will still be cooking our meals from scratch, using fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients that meet our sustainability standards. In addition, you will continue to find several plant-forward, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options every day.
Below are answers to frequently asked questions related to dining at Reed during the pandemic. If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out to me through my contact information below.
We look forward to seeing your smiling faces soon!
Matt Talavera
General Manager
Bon Appétit at Reed College
talaveram@reed.edu
503-777-7286
PS We are pleased to share that in March the Humane Society of the United States ranked us the #1 food service company—the only one to receive an A+ grade!
Frequently Asked Questions for Dining at Reed: Fall 2020
How is dining going to work at Reed?
At Commons and the Marketplace, you’ll find a “starting table” at the entrance. No more than 25 people at a time may purchase food or beverages at Commons, while only three guests at a time will be allowed in the Marketplace. A door attendant will manage the entry of guests.
In order to enter Commons, you must adhere to Reed’s protocol on face coverings.
Please try to view the menus online (links above) before visiting the stores to help speed up the ordering process. Once you enter Commons, quickly choose a line to stand in and maintain six feet of distance. Each line will have enough options, including side dishes, to make a complete meal.
We are setting up stations throughout Commons for enhanced efficiency, with many popular items being pre-packaged to reduce the number of decisions that need to be made while ordering. This will help to minimize potential crowding.
We have also developed a mobile app that will allow you to order your food ahead of time and pick it up at Commons.
Wait, there is an app I can use to order food in advance and then pick up?
Yes, Bon Appétit has partnered with Transact Mobile Ordering to provide students, faculty, and staff with a low/no contact order option.
Note that the app allows you to pay with either a credit card or your Reed dining account by selecting "Dining ASV."
Are face coverings required while dining?
Yes, Reed’s face covering requirements apply. This means that face coverings must be worn at all times, except while you are eating.
You must wear a face covering while waiting in line, while walking around Commons, and while under tents when you are not eating.
How is seating being modified?
Seating inside Commons has been reduced by 50 percent. We have also provided outdoor seating under a tent, which can be found immediately outside Commons. The seating has been arranged to allow for social distancing, with at least six feet between seats.
What are your hours and what will be available?
You can find our current hours of operation and our menus for all of our cafés on our site. Below is an overview of our selections at each establishment.
Commons
- Pre-packaged entrées, sides, and composed salads
- Expanded selection of grab-and-go items
- Daily soup selections
- Your usual favorites, plus specials from the Deli, Taqueria, Grill, Daily Planet, and Pizza stations
- Desserts, pastries, and fruit at each station
- Toast and bagels at the breakfast station
Marketplace
- A wide selection of grocery and grab-and-go items
Canyon Café
- Due to space limitations, the Canyon Café will be closed for the fall semester for safety reasons.
Can I get meals delivered to my room?
For students who are in quarantine or isolation, Wellness Meals are available through Bon Appétit. Students can also order food from an off-campus provider or service (like GrubHub, InstaCart, or Door Dash). More information can be found on the residential life website.
I have food allergies and/or dietary restrictions. Will you be able to help me during the pandemic?
Certainly! If you have food allergies or other dietary restrictions, we will work with our registered dietitian to ensure that you can safely enjoy plenty of delicious food with us. Please contact Matt Talavera with your specific needs and we will work with you to come up with a specialized meal.
What COVID-19 safety measures will be in place?
- All Bon Appétit staff will complete pre-shift wellness screenings in alignment with local regulations, including no-contact temperature scans and other health check measures.
- All Bon Appétit staff will complete COVID-19 training designed by sanitation experts. Topics covered include proper disinfection, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and physical distancing protocols. Staff will wear “I’m Trained” buttons to let you know they’re up to date on all safety measures.
- All Bon Appétit staff will wear masks and gloves at all times.
- During every meal period, a designated Bon Appétit supervisor will help maintain physical distancing between guests and ensure that staff follow cleaning and disinfection protocols and schedules.
- Bon Appétit's cleaning and sanitation schedules meet or exceed all local guidelines and national best practices. This includes frequent disinfection of high-touch surfaces, including wiping down tables and seats between guests and disinfecting all high-touch areas (such as door handles) every 20 minutes.
- We have updated our decision tree and step-by-step action plan for unit managers who have employees who are sick or who may have had contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19. It is important to note that Bon Appétit offers paid sick leave to all employees.
What will happen to the self-serve salad bar, condiment station, soda station, etc.?
Some self-service items are being reconfigured to be served by our staff, while others are being converted to pre-packaged grab-and-go options. We are compliant with Multnomah County guidelines, which prohibit all self-service activities during phase one and two. The resumption of self-service will be determined based on guidelines from the Multnomah County Health Department.
- Salad bars: We will have an extended variety of pre-packaged salads available at the area where the self-serve salad bar was previously located.
- Condiments: Ketchup, mustard, hot sauce, soy sauce, etc., will be given to you in packets.
- Silverware: All silverware will be disposable for the time being. Automatic touchless dispensers will be available near the registers.
- Beverages: Staff will dispense tea and coffee for you. No outside containers will be allowed, but additional sizes and lower price points of bottled soda and juices will be available.
Can I still get made-without-gluten-containing ingredients (MWGCI) meals? Where have the packaged gluten-free items gone?
MWGCI and gluten-free items will be available upon request at Commons from the corresponding service station. For example, the deli and grill sections will have gluten-free breads available, while the pizza station will have the option for gluten-free crust.
I am vegan/vegetarian. Where do I look for items?
We will have vegan and vegetarian options available throughout Commons. These will be incorporated into our regular menus for all stations.
I am on a meal plan, and I am an athlete. How will you accommodate my need for a high-calorie diet?
Purchases at Commons and the Marketplace run on a declining balance, not an “all you can eat” basis. If you need more food, just ask; there may be an additional charge, depending on how much you request.