Pull up a seat: dining at Bethel

Ask a college student to describe their schedule, and they’ll probably mention classes and studying. Physical activity will come up in some form, plus time focused on their faith, work, down time with friends, and—somewhere in there—a good amount of sleep. 

But there’s another important item that takes up a significant chunk of the day: eating. 

In the most recent student survey, 95% of Bethel students reported being satisfied with their on-campus dining experience. Bethel’s long-standing partnership with nationally recognized food service provider Sodexo, along with intentional building design and student programming, has fostered a culture of great food, strong community, and holistic well-being. Here’s a deep dive into the nuts and bolts of dining at Bethel—and some thoughts from students on what it means to them. 

Thoughtful dining spaces

Throughout Bethel’s history, there have always been intentionally-designed spaces that have been centrally located, comfortably outfitted, and supportive of the ways students have preferred to dine together. Bethel’s 3900 campus currently has three distinct dining venues:

Monson Dining Center

Brushaber Commons (BC) Levels 3 & 4; Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner most days

Monson Dining Center (the “DC”) is Bethel’s buffet-style dining area, and the largest on campus. With vaulted ceilings, tons of natural lights, and lots of space to spread out, it’s a great place to go for a quiet meal alone, or to linger with friends—or whoever you meet in line! Grab a tray or plate near the door, and fill it with your favorite items from the various stations. Every day, you’ll see a well-equipped salad bar, deli items, brick oven pizza, pasta, stir fry, favorite comfort foods, waffles, grilled items, grains, and desserts, with the specifics changing day-to-day and meal-to-meal. Here, you’ll pay a flat fee or use a meal from your student dining plan, and you can view a daily menu on the Sodexo website. 

3900 Grill

Brushaber Commons (BC) Level 3; Typically open for lunch and dinner weekdays

Think of 3900 Grill as a fast-casual or take-out restaurant. You’ll utilize “Flex” dining funds to pay for your order, and receive a buzzer that’ll light up when your freshly-cooked meal is ready. The menu includes grilled items like premium burgers and chicken sandwiches on homemade buns; fries and other hot appetizers; paninis; salad and grain bowls; soups; and “Simply to Go” sandwiches, wraps, salads, and snacks. Take your meal with you or stay and hang out in a booth or at a table. It’s a favorite study spot!

Royal Grounds 

Brushaber Commons (BC) Level 2: Open most weekdays, early morning until late at night

Royal Grounds is Bethel’s coffee shop, and it’s located in the heart of Brushaber Commons—which is sometimes described as the campus living room. Royal Grounds serves Caribou Coffee, smoothies, fresh-squeezed juices, hot breakfast sandwiches and subs, pizza, and a variety of grab-and-go snacks and baked goods. Grab a quick coffee on the way to class, or find a couple of comfy chairs for a conversation with a roommate or mentor. Students also love to enjoy their goodies next to a fire on the Kresge Alumni Patio or under the twinkle lights outside the south side of the building. 

No matter the time of day, or what you’re in the mood for, you’ll find a menu item and space that fits your schedule and needs.

Students’ favorites

From the first days on campus during Welcome Week, every student creates their ideal schedule and develops habits that shape what dining will look like for them. We asked a few undergraduate students at Bethel for their favorite memories involving food on campus—as well as their favorite things to eat. Here are their takes: 

Adaptability & variety

Holistic wellness is a core component of the student experience, from the Intro to Wellbeing general education course to the on-site Wellness Center, health and counseling services, spiritual support, and more. When it comes to food, students have the freedom and resources to make the best choices about what they’re putting in their bodies. Here are a few of the options and resources available to students:

Seasonal, mindful foods

Sodexo sources ingredients from Food Alliance-certified local farmers and brands, highlighting farm-to-table flavor in ever-changing recipes. All eggs served on campus are cage-free!

Ultra-local produce

Sodexo staff cultivate on-campus gardens and even manage an apiary—dubbed the “Royal Honey Hive.” These beautiful parts of campus are also very productive, and campus-grown produce and honey are incorporated into student meals.

On-site nutritionist

Sodexo’s team includes Registered Dietitian Rochelle Sward, who works with the culinary team and student staff to ensure dining environments are allergy-safe. She’s also available to students navigating dietary restrictions or wanting to make the best choices on campus. 

Allergen labels & special diets

Gluten-free, lactose-free, and vegan options are readily available in all Bethel dining venues, and by special request, items can also be stored separately to avoid cross-contamination with allergens. The Office of Accessibility Resources and Sodexo’s dietitian can also work with students to accommodate severe allergies or other dietary needs.

Nutriton facts

Look for foods labeled “Mindful,” and you’ll know you’re making a great choice! Nutritional information is also available on the Sodexo website or its corresponding “Everyday” app. Most foods served on campus are also trackable on the MyFitnessPal app. Just search “Sodexo Campus” to keep track of what you’re eating and meet your nutrition goals.

Swipe out Hunger

Bethel Student Government (BSG) partners with Sodexo to ensure that no undergraduate students at Bethel go hungry, even if they run out of meals or Flex dollars. Through this confidential program, students experiencing food insecurity can apply online to receive free, nourishing meals.

Sustainability

In the United States, it’s estimated that 30-40% of the overall food supply is wasted, and Sodexo works to educate diners on ways to eliminate waste and be mindful of their consumption. There are periodic “waste checks,” where surplus food is gathered at the entrance to the dish return area. It’s weighed and tracked sporadically, raising awareness of just how much food is thrown in the trash—and giving ideas for cutting back on waste. Trayless Tuesdays capitalize on the student trend of foregoing an extra layer of tableware in order to cut back on food waste, clean-up time, and water usage. 

A reusable “to-go box” option was introduced in the Dining Center in recent years. A box may be purchased and filled with buffet items, cutting down on the cost, energy, and trash involved in cooking and buying on-demand entrees. The boxes can be exchanged for a fresh box anytime someone would like to purchase a new meal. 

Remember the produce that’s sourced from local farmers? Unpackaged food scraps are donated back to Barthold Farms, which uses them to feed pigs. This effort takes cooking full-circle and redirects thousands of pounds of food from the landfill to a more useful outcome each year.

Events & experiences

Students never know quite what they’ll experience in the DC! A “City Eats” day might feature flavors from New Orleans, for example, or a “Street Food” meal might incorporate authentic tacos or sushi. Royal Grounds and 3900 Grill also offer monthly specials that change with the seasons.

“My favorite event is Late Night in the DC! My resident director was the DJ this year, and it was incredible. We got a kick out of watching him dance his heart out and sing Christmas songs,” says Ortega. Late Night in the DC is offered during finals week each semester, with President Ross and Annie Allen and other Cabinet-level staff serving breakfast foods and craveable late-night snacks. “The atmosphere of the event is so fun!”

Enjoy at meal at Bethel

See for yourself what dining at Bethel is like during a campus tour—or stop by campus anytime to grab a coffee or meal on your own. We’ll save you a seat!

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