Price Increase - Eurest Dining Services Cafeterias
Due to the increasing price of raw products and the increased cost incurred by suppliers for shipping and transportation, effective April 2, 2012 there will be a price adjustment to select food and beverage items in all Eurest Dining Services cafeterias (10/CRC, 10/ACRF, 10/B1, 31, 35, 45).
While raising prices is never popular, we have held the number of items we are raising to a minimum. The new pricing covers these increased costs and still allow for keeping overall prices comparable to those in nearby retail outlets.
Food Services - Operators
There are several food services options available to employees and visitors of the NIH both on and off-campus locations.
Concession and Vending Services
The Concession and Vending Services are performed by the Maryland Business Enterprise Program for the Blind (MBEPB). The MBEPB is a program that is operated out of the Maryland Department of Education through the Randolph-Sheppard Act.
The Food Services Programs oversees the administration of the NIH Approved Catering Services made available to NIH employees.
The Food Services Team monitors and approves all table tent cards displayed within all of the NIH-sponsored dining centers.
Montgomery County, Maryland 5-cent Carry out Bag Tax
On January 1, 2012, a 5-cent charge on all carry out plastic and paper bags was implemented within all of the Food/Concession/Retail establishments located on and off the NIH Campus. Included as part of your purchase(s) will be a separate charge on your receipt for each plastic or paper bag you obtain.
Did you know that plastic bags are a significant component of litter in our streams and rivers?
As part of the 2009 Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Anacostia Trash TMDL Baseline Study, plastic bags, food packaging, Styrofoam and plastic bottles account for over 62 percent of the total trash items found in our streams and storm water controls.
Is a Carryout Bag Tax Effective?
In our neighboring jurisdiction Washington, DC implemented a bag bill over 1 year ago. Since enacting the bill, DC has seen an estimated 80% reduction in the use of disposable carry out bags (from 270 million bags in 2009 to 55 million bags in 2010). Reports from the 2010 Potomac River Watershed Clean up in the region estimates a 66 percent reduction in the number of plastic bags picked up (after 4 months).
For additional information on the new bag tax, please visit: www.montgomerycountymd.gov/bag
DATS Responsibilities
The Division of Amenities and Transportation Services (DATS) has the responsibility for overseeing the food/concession services components at the NIH. The DATS responsibilities include:
- Management, monitoring and administration of all contracts and use agreements with the NIH food vendors to ensure quality service to the NIH.
- Administering customer point of sale and needs assessment surveys to gather data for improvements and to meet contact performance standards.
- Interacting with NIH employees, visitors and patients to discuss concerns/issues regarding the services provided by the food services vendors.
- Ensuring through a partnership with the Division of Occupational Health and Safety (DOHS) that the dining centers and concession stands meet safety and health policies, standards, and procedures applicable to the NIH.