August 17, 1999 For Immediate Release

Starbucks and Tim Horton's are coming to the University of Northern British Columbia as part of a new five-year food service contract signed with Cara Operations and its subsidiary Beaver Foods.

The new contract will result in a number of new food and beverage options on campus, as well as significant capital improvements and enhanced services in some campus study areas. Highlights include:

• Cara will invest $200,000 to renovate the main food court and the Northwood Winter Garden bistro. In addition, a new Starbucks coffee kiosk will be built adjacent to the Food Court and a new hot and cold food station with Tim Horton's products will be located in the study area on the first floor of the Library Building.
  
  
• The Food Court renovation will include new food presentation stations. There will also be more variety on the menu that will continue to include deli sandwiches and soups, hot entrees, pizza, panini grill, salad bar, bakery, and hot and cold beverages.
  
  
• The Northwood Winter Garden bistro will be enclosed with a four-foot high birch-paneled wall topped with glass. A more welcoming atmosphere will be created with the addition of more comfortable seating and services including sub sandwiches, pizza, espresso and premium blend coffees, desserts, beer and wine, and pub-style appetizers. The Winter Garden will be open daily from 11am. The hours of operation will be extended during the week and on weekends.
  
  
• The Starbucks kiosk located in the Agora adjacent to the main Food Court will feature the full range of Starbucks coffees, as well as fresh fruit juices, desserts, biscotti, fresh fruit and vegetables, and snacks. As part of the new coffee service, a seating area will be constructed along the window looking out into the Agora Courtyard. The kiosk will be open weekdays from 7:30am - 10pm and 10am - 6pm on weekends.
  
  
• The operating hours for the hot and cold food cart located in the study area on the first floor of the Library Building will reflect the hours of the Library. A variety of Tim Horton's products, salads, sub and bagel sandwiches, soup, and coffee and juice will be available - each priced under $5.
  
  

The terms of the food service contract were determined by a committee representing the entire university community: undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and staff. Their objectives were guided by comments received during the last contract and by a food service survey that was conducted in the past academic year. Nearly 500 responses to the survey were received and included suggestions for increased food selection, more fresh fruit and vegetables, longer operating hours, and enhancing the atmosphere of the Winter Garden bistro.

Blueprints for the renovation have been completed and construction will soon be underway. It's expected that the Winter Garden renovation and the installation of the two new kiosks will be complete by the time classes start in September. The renovation to the Food Court will be complete by January.