By Olivia Massucci · Contributing Writer
On Oct. 27, Parkhurst launched Craveable, an app that allows students to check daily menus and allergen information for campus dining halls. It aims to make navigating campus dining more convenient and safer for students with dietary restrictions.
Craveable has the same program Parkhurst chefs use, so ingredient and allergen information can be up to date. Students can browse the menu and use filters to find items that fit their needs.
Kylee Chrastina, field marketing and engagement coordinator for Parkhurst Dining at Grove City College, explained the system.
“It pulls directly from the program that our chefs use with all of the recipes, so it’s more accurate, which is very helpful, especially for students that have those allergies that can be deadly for them,” she “And you can filter it by allergens! Say you need gluten-friendly options: You click submit, and then it shows you every option that contains gluten and crosses it off for you, so it already shows you what options you can have, which is really cool,” Chrastina explained.
The app also shows upcoming dining events, meal plan information, nutrition details and Parkhurst wellness programs such as Well On Your Way. The app provides contacts for Parkhurst managers so that students can schedule meetings if needed.
Parkhurst partnered with Nutrislice to bring Craveable to campus. The project has been in development for about a year and a half.
“We saw how well it worked at one of the other accounts and how much the students liked it and how much easier it made it for both the team and the students, so from there we decided that it was a product we wanted to take on,” Chrastina said.
Parkhurst is also planning more dining improvements, such as another monitor for The Garage Café’s coffee menu and displays for allergen and ingredient details at food stations.
“There is going to be another feature coming called Spotlights, which are basically iPads set up at different stations, which are basically iP-ads set up at different stations,” she empha-sized.
“The ceramic cups were brought in to enhance everyone’s overall dining experience and the atmosphere of the cafés,” she said. “We know there was some confusion, but to-go cups are still available upon request at the cashier desk in both cafés.”
Craveable is still undergoing improvement, and Parkhurst is seeking student input. A focus group of students who regularly use the app will meet next semester to share opinions on it.
“With the app itself, we’re always open to suggestions. More information will come out about the focus group next semester, so if any students are interested in giving us their feedback, we’re always happy to hear it,” Chrastina said. “They can always submit it through comment cards, which are linked on that website too (gcc.nutrislice.com), or our email at parkhurst@gcc.edu. We are always happy to see the feedback on what we can do better,” she emphasized.
