Cafeteria caters to diners’ individual needs

Realizing that all meals are not created equal, Fresh Food Company has partnered with Aramark to introduce Just4U, a dining initiative aimed at allowing customers to make more informed choices about their food selections.

By Grant Smith

The cafeteria (Fresh Food Company) is making it easier for students to eat healthy this semester with its latest dining initiative titled Just4U. The name comes from the idea that everyone has their own individual diet and knowing the nutritional facts of different meals help people make informed, healthy decisions.

Along with the preparation details, Just4U highlights foods with fewer than 500, 300 and 100 calories; or less than 15 grams of carbohydrates. Food stations also suggest meals along with an accompanying calorie count.

“When I’m passing by I look at the Just4U signs and see if it’s something I want to eat,” says sophomore Paul Cabran. “The signs are pretty good.”

Aramark, the company that created the Just4U program, has garnered national media attention since introducing its innovative menu in 2004.

The company believes that Americans, like Paul, want to eat healthier and are looking for some guidance when making their choices. While planning the new nutritional menu, Aramark partnered with several renowned obesity experts and nutritionists in order to successfully balance tasty and healthy foods.

“The Just4U program is a great fit for the Fresh Food Company. Not all students are concerned with how or what they eat, but some are,” said Mike Oestreich, marketing project manager in FIU Panther Dining. “We’ve simply identified those options that may fit into particular diets so that each guest can be aware of what they are selecting for their meal.”