By Emily Bontrager, Alexis Podgers, Grant Flora, and Andrew Scalf
Staff from Indiana Wesleyan’s new food service provider came to campus last Thursday to present potential changes for the fall of 2026 and take questions from IWU students and staff.
The French food service company Sodexo was approved as the new food service provider at the end of 2025 replacing Pioneer College Caterers, the dining company that has served IWU for 24 years. Sodexo provides campus dining services to Huntington, Indiana University, and other Indiana public and private universities.
Keith Brakel, IWU’s associate vice president of auxiliary services said that in the past IWU has been greatly behind when it comes to mobile ordering, renovating dining areas and accommodations for food allergies.
“We felt very strongly that we have not done a great service to our student body as in the area of allergens and so that was a major impact, a major emphasis in this proposal” Brakel said. “With Sodexo coming in we really believe we’re going to up the game as it relates to allergens and being able to service our students.”
Angelina Meyers, a student with food allergies, said that cross-contamination has been an issue for her in the past.
“People go from other food lines into that one (the gluten free line) with the same plate, which cross contamination can be serious for some people” Meyers said. “But also, a big thing I’ve talked about is the variety, because we typically only have a protein, which is either a pork loin or chicken, and then it’s some type of rice, and then it’s like two things of vegetables.”
Brakel said that Sodexo plans to bring on a dietitian to work specifically with students that have allergies or other dietary needs.
“We’re in the early stages of working with Keith and a lot of other administrators on campus to fine-tune what the program will look like, but across the board you’re going to see robust programming.” said Sodexo’s senior marketing manager Victoria Parsons.
Brakel said IWU and Sodexo are still working through a timeline for all of the renovations and new additions but not everything will be finished by the start of the fall semester.
“Certainly when you come in at the start of the school year you will see some differences in Wildcat Express,” Brakel said. “One of the major differences you’re going to see as well is a lot of our stations are going to go to plated rather than individually you scooping your own food.”
The estimated cost for all improvements is $4 million according to Sodexo.
Brakel said meal plan costs will not be affected.
