In addition to great prepared foods, key staples and plenty of treats, Panther Grocery now has another item of note: national recognition as one of the best retail marketplaces in higher education.
The popular grocery won a Loyal E. Horton Dining Award (Silver) from the National Association of College & University Food Services (NACUFS) in June. It was the second consecutive year the association recognized Campus Dining excellence: the Global Kitchen Series dinner for the Día de los Muertos holiday won for Residential Dining – Special Event in 2023.
Named after a NACUFS founder, past president and highly regarded innovator, Horton awards celebrate members’ innovative ideas and program implementation.
“The exceptional efforts of this year’s award winners underscore the inspiring dedication within collegiate dining to advance excellence across these many dining, nutrition and sustainability categories,” said NACUFS President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Nelson. “These achievements highlight our members’ steadfast commitment to fostering healthier and more sustainable campus environments and to creating lasting, positive impacts on campus communities in alignment with NACUFS’ mission.”
Panther Grocery wasn’t the only campus award recipient earning NACUFS recognition this year.
Campus Dining Director Evan Olsen, a 13-year employee at Florida Tech and a NACUFS Regional Ambassador, won the Richard Lichtenfelt Award. Selected by the association’s chairperson, this award honors individuals who have provided outstanding contributions to NACUFS at the national level.
“It is an honor to be recognized for this award,” Olsen said. “I am fortunate to have a great dining team and support from administration to allow time to dedicate to NACUFS and the betterment of the collegiate dining industry.”
