Food for Thought: SUNY New Paltz hosts kickoff event for hospitality industry partnerships

Food and hospitality industry leaders from the Town of New Paltz joined President Darrell P. Wheeler and other campus personnel on Monday, March 24, for the first in what is planned as a series of conversations about how SUNY New Paltz and partners in the region can innovate together to provide new and exceptional dining experiences for our 7,000+ students and 1,300+ employees.  

The discussion, convened as part of a new Food for Thought initiative spearheaded by the President’s Office, Campus Auxiliary Services and Sodexo, included student ambassadors and nearly a dozen local restaurants and cafes.  

“We are excited to work with local business owners to overcome barriers and capitalize on opportunities for the University to work with you to provide a more diverse array of culinary offerings on campus,” said President Wheeler. “I want to personally thank those who took time to join us for this kickoff meeting, sharing ideas and expertise that will help us inaugurate a new era of outstanding dining service at SUNY New Paltz.”  

While the Food for Thought program is prompted by the Peregrine Dining Hall renovation project that will begin in December 2025, the vision for these partnerships goes beyond that immediate need.  

To this end, a major goal of these initial discussions is to strengthen dialogue among campus administrators, Sodexo service providers, student leaders and local entrepreneurs, with an eye toward building mutually beneficial collaborations that are greater than the sum of their parts.  

Are you a business owner who missed this first meeting but would like to learn more about the Food for Thought initiative? Please get in touch with us at foodforthought@newpaltz.edu. We’d be delighted to start a conversation!