Week 2- Montana State

Week 2 was a very eventful week! We started off with orientation to learn about the business side of food service including professional vocabulary, movement of food from manufacturers to distributors and finally to end users, with the help of brokers along the way. We also learned how to use a few different databases and software to organize products and menus and obtain information from distributors. We were involved in a monthly meeting with our primary distributor, Food Services of America.

We also started on different projects including searching for new products such as condiments, cereals, dressings, ice cream novelties, and much more. These products will be used at the newly remodeled dining hall in the fall. The largest dining hall on campus is undergoing a $13 million remodel and we are excited to be involved in many projects to get ready for the opening for the fall semester. We toured the ongoing remodel and got to see where these new products will be used at the different dining stations.

 

Pizza oven                    Seating area             Wok station and Mongolian grill

On Friday, we took a trip to Billings, MT to meet with two brokerage companies. We discussed new products, estimated usages, pricing, and special offers. We had a business luncheon with one of the brokers at a restaurant owned by a business friend of our boss, Paul. We had the opportunity to ask them questions about the business world and how to stand out among other applicants. At the other brokerage company, they prepared a cutting of several different products. We learned how to pace ourselves and be able to taste all of the products without leaving feeling sick. They even let us shop around their warehouse to take a few items home!

Throughout the week, we continued to enjoy the kind Montana hospitality. We hiked everyday and enjoyed the beautiful views and wonderful weather!