Update on new dining options coming to campus, new Student Union marketplace

In April, The Northern Light did an investigative series looking into campus dining options at UAA. In our reporting, one of the most common responses from students was that UAA’s options were too limited, and that there was a strong desire to see more diversity in what was offered around campus. 

But, the days of Subway being the only substantial meal option in the Student Union are officially no more. The vacant space that was previously branded as the Taqueria next to Subway will be the Seawolf Marketplace. 

In April, a survey was sent out asking for input on what should fill the space beside Subway. Seawolf Dining Program Director Trenten Hall said that there were 1,200 responses providing input, and the marketplace idea won. 

Chris Tarsitano, the General Manager of food and beverage operations, said that the marketplace will offer “made to order salads” that are completely customizable depending on student preferences. 

Other fresh options will be available, including cut and whole fruits and parfaits. Students will also have the option to add chicken or salmon to meals. He said that the menu will change with seasonal options and available Alaskan produce.

“So we're [hoping] to have a lot of great feedback as this happens and … evolve the menu where we can have everything from vegan options, vegetarian options and just be very conscious of students,” said Tarsitano.

Tarsitano said that the Seawolf Marketplace will have a focus on the environment and sustainability. 

“We will not have any plastic bottles being sold there, [drinks will be] out of glass [and] cans. All of our to-go containers are compostable. So we're really forward-focused on our green initiative and sustainability.”

He said that all options should be under $14, and dining dollars can be used at the Seawolf Marketplace.

Hall said that there will be a soft opening of the Seawolf Marketplace after Campus Kickoff from 4 to 6 p.m. on Aug. 26, and the official opening will be the first day of school, Aug. 28.

In April, The Northern Light reported that Campus Dining hoped to open up the existing coffee shops in both Cuddy Hall and the ConocoPhillips Integrated Science Building. The plan for the fall has changed since then. Hall said that because of labor shortages, the ConocoPhillips coffee shop will not be opened. Instead, he said that Campus Dining wants to put automated coffee machines in the building next spring.

The coffee shop in Cuddy Hall will be reopening this fall under a new name. What was previously known as the Daily Grind will now be called Cafe Delgga. Hall said that it is named after the Dena’ina word for raven.

Hall said that they worked with the Alaska Native Studies department, a Dena’ina language expert at UAA, the Native Village of Eklutna, and the curator of indigenous art and culture at the museum while working on the new coffee shop. 

He said that the remodel of the space has been delayed, but it should be open by the start of the school year. 

“All aspects of it are going to honor the Dena’ina grounds we work on too, so it’s going to have that full circle,” said Hall. 

The “pizza ATMs” that The Northern Light previously reported on in April will not be here until November, said Hall. The proposed locations for these pizza ATMs will be on the ground floor of the Student Union and one in the Social Sciences Building. 

Pizzas will be made on-campus, and the machine will be able to heat them up on demand for students. 

A different kind of hot-food vending machine will be available at the start of the school year, though. Just Baked machines will placed in the Professional Studies Building, the ConocoPhilips Integrated Science Building and in the Consortium Library vending machine area. 

Hall said that the Just Baked machines are “kind of the same concept as the pizza ATM machine, but this one holds a variety of products like bao buns, vegetable potstickers, White Castle sliders [and] breakfast sandwiches.”

Hall said that these machines will be available at all times, making it an option for people on campus in the evening who are looking for something to eat. 

For those who live on campus, the Late Night hours of the Creekside Eatery will be expanding by half an hour. On Sundays and Mondays, after dinner ends at 7:30 p.m., Late Night will open from 8:30 to 10 p.m. as an option for those who missed dinner. 

Tarsitano said that the new executive chef “is really focused on fresh options and … making sure that we're focused on all dietary restrictions, dietary needs, special diets, religious diets and just really celebrating culture and diversity.”

The Varsity Sports Grill, which is located at the Alaska Airlines Center, will also be opening on September 11, and will be operating on Mondays from 4 - 8pm.