The new restaurant changes that have occurred recently here at Valdosta State University due to a new food service company taking over have not been hidden. They are extremely noticeable and have sparked a lot of thoughts within both students and staff members. Many students were familiar, and quite comfortable, with the old company, Sodexo. However, due to Chartwells being able to outbid its competitors for a new contract with VSU, including Sodexo, they are now VSU’s newest service company for food. They are finding ways to appeal to students and staff around campus.

Graduate student, Antita Goings, sat down with me, as she enjoyed her mini chocolate yogurt with strawberries and pineapples, to tell me that her favorite part of eating at Pinkberry was the fact that they allow you sample whatever yogurt type that you want before making a decision.

VSU President Interim, Dr. Louis Levy, especially likes how Chartwells brought with them a variety of different foods. He also appreciates their food quality as he says that he tries to eat at the various campus restaurants or at an event catered by Chartwells at least four to five times a week.

So far, Chartwells has brought in both Papa John’s Pizza and Pinkberry Frozen Yogurt. Future changes are presently unknown, though they may occur. Of course, everyone knew just about all there is to know about Papa John’s, but what about the healthy new place, Pinkberry? Like so many others, I had never heard of Pinkberry before its arrival here to VSU. So, I decided to check it out and see what it was about.

Instantly, I was greeted with a welcoming smile as I spent a few moments pondering what flavor I wanted to try. The server explained the process to me and allowed me to “taste test” a little bit of the watermelon, but it was the chocolate that made me fall in love.

I am a strawberry fiend. So, with any flavor of yogurt that I chose from my long list of options, I would try to incorporate the strawberry topping. As they told me that I could get a lot of toppings until they overflowed, I added mixed nuts and let me say, delicious!

If you do not share my same love for strawberries, then you also have your choice of pineapple, watermelon, honey, caramel, chocolate chips, and other toppings. Yes, they even have fruity pebbles and captain crunch. Flavors include mango, original, watermelon, or pomegranate frozen yogurt. It has proven to be both healthy and cheap. I only paid $3.31 out of my flex account to get my mini chocolate bliss. Other items that they offer include parfaits, waffle cones, and many other things. They were patient with me and guided me through the whole process to make my yogurt dream come true.