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 Bringing the Zest. Enhance. Enjoy. Energize. | February 2026

The Zest

In This Issue:

Commons & Retail Happenings | Trending Across Campus | Bites from the Dietitian | Catering Corner | Staff Spotlight

Commons & Retail Happenings

October 2025 Calendar

Be sure not to miss out on these important dates!

Commons

  • Friday, February 6- Super Bowl Lunch
    • 11 am - 4 pm
     
  • Friday, February 6- Soul Food Dinner
    • 4:30 - 7:30 pm
     
  • Monday, February 9 - Friday, February 13 - It's National Jell-O Week
  • Friday, February 13 - Valentine Chocolates and Treats at the Commons
  • Saturday, February 14 - Valentine's Day
  • Tuesday, February 17- Mardi Gras
    • Dinner from 4:30 - 7:30 pm
     
  • Tuesday, February 24 - National Tortilla Chip Day
 

Reduce the Wait and Order Ahead

  • Gluten-free pasta, pizza, and vegan cheese pizza may be ordered in advance by calling 410-548-5598.
 

Food. Delivered by Robot

Avride Delivery Robots Roll Out 

Salisbury University Dining Services is excited to announce the upcoming launch of Avride autonomous delivery robots, bringing a new level of convenience and innovation to on-campus dining. Due to weather conditions and a move-in date adjustment, robot delivery will officially begin on Monday, February 2.

Starting launch day, students can order food through the Grubhub app and have it delivered by sidewalk-safe, self-driving Avride robots — a fun and futuristic way to enjoy campus favorites.

🍽️ Where and How It Works

The robots will operate exclusively on campus and deliver only from dining locations already partnered with Grubhub:

  • Chick-fil-A

  • Cool Beans Café

  • Hungry Minds Express

  • Chesapeake Coffee Roasters

 

Robot delivery will be available during each location’s normal operating hours. For safety and operational reasons, the robots will not cross major roadways, including Route 113 and Camden Avenue.

🤖 What to Expect

  • 💸 Flat delivery fee: $3.49 per order

  • 🚚 Fleet size: 15 Avride robots

  • 📦 Capacity: Approximately 150–200 deliveries per day

  • 📱 Ordering: Place orders directly through the Grubhub app and select robot delivery when available

 

Equipped with advanced sensors and navigation technology, the Avride robots are designed to safely maneuver sidewalks, avoid obstacles, and deliver meals efficiently to designated campus locations.

🌟 A Smarter Way to Dine

Whether it’s a busy class day, bad weather, late-night cravings, or simply wanting a contactless option, robot delivery offers students an easy, reliable alternative to traditional pickup.

The launch of Avride robots reflects Salisbury University Dining Services’ continued investment in innovative solutions that enhance campus life and meet students where they are. As the semester gets underway, these delivery robots offer a modern, efficient, and exciting way to enjoy on-campus dining — no lines required.

🤖🍔📲

Trending Across Campus: February Specials 

Guerrieri Student Union

Cool Beans Café

February Specials at Cool Beans 💕

Sip into February with our limited-time drink specials at Cool Beans! Whether you’re craving something creamy, smooth, or refreshingly fruity, we’ve got the perfect treat waiting for you:

 

🧊☕ Brown Sugar Berry Dream – Iced chai sweetened with brown sugar and topped with luscious strawberry cold foam.
🍵 Matcha Dream Cooler – Iced matcha blended with white chocolate and finished with strawberry cold foam for a smooth, dreamy sip.
🍒 Cherry Kiss – A bright mango lemonade refresher with a splash of sweet cherry—perfect for a refreshing pick-me-up.

 

Stop by Cool Beans and treat yourself to a little February indulgence before these specials are gone!

Guerrieri Student Union

Chick-fil-A®

Say “I Love You” with Nuggets ❤️

 

This February, Chick-fil-A is serving up the ultimate love language—a 30-count nugget presented in a heart-shaped container! 

 

Perfect for sharing (or keeping all to yourself), this special offering is available while supplies last. 

 

Spread the love, one nugget at a time. 💕🍗

Guerrieri Academic Commons

Chesapeake Coffee Roasters™

Love Potion 💖

 

Fall under the spell of our Love Potion! This limited-time treat features our signature vanilla Fro-Cho ice cream base blended with decadent white chocolate and finished with a sweet kiss of raspberry. 

 

It’s the perfect way to add a little magic to your February.

Guerrieri Academic Commons

Hungry Minds Express

Celebrate the season of love with our Valentine Toast—a sweet and indulgent treat perfect for February! 

 

This delicious creation features strawberry jelly and creamy cream cheese sandwiched between two slices of golden French toast, then topped with chocolate drizzle, powdered sugar, and fresh strawberries. A perfect way to add a little love to your day! 

 

🍓🍫

Perdue School of Business

Books & Bread at Arthur's Café

$7.99 Meal Deals at Books & Bread 🥪🥤

 

Great food at a great price is always on the menu at Books & Bread! For just $7.99, enjoy one of our delicious subs, sandwiches, wraps, or salads—made fresh and just the way you like it. Each meal deal also includes a fountain soda and a bag of Sun Chips, making it an easy and affordable option for lunch or dinner.

 

Whether you’re between classes, heading to work, or just craving something quick and satisfying, Books & Bread has you covered. Stop by and grab a deal!

Bites from the Dietician

Welcome back!
 A new semester is the perfect time to reset your routine—without pressure to be “perfect.” Small, consistent habits go a long way in supporting your energy, focus, and overall well-being.

 

🍽️ Eat to Fuel Your Day

  • Try to eat regularly (yes, breakfast counts!)
  • Include protein at meals and snacks to stay full and focused
  • Include colorful vegetables and fruits on every plate
  • Build balanced meals when you can:
    • Carbs + protein + vegetable = steady energy
    • Examples: pasta + chicken + broccoli, rice + beans + veggies, toast & eggs + fruit
     
 

 

Terry Passano

Article By

Terry Passano, RDN, LDN, CLT

University Dietitian

💧 Support Your Body

  • Hydrate throughout the day (bring a water bottle!
  • Aim for sleep consistency, even if it’s not perfect — 8-9 hours preferred
 
  • Remember: eating enough supports both physical and mental health
 

🚶 Move in Ways That Feel Good

  • Movement doesn’t have to mean the gym
  • Walking to class, stretching, dancing, or quick breaks all count
 

🤍 Need Extra Support?

If you’re dealing with:

  • Low energy
  • Food allergies or GI concerns
  • Stress around eating
  • Or just want help building meals that work with your schedule
 

I’m here for you! Nutrition support is a campus resource—use it. Wishing you a strong, energized start to the spring semester 🌱

 

Terry Passano, RDN
 University Dietitian

A Dietitian’s Take on the 

New U.S. Dietary Guidelines

(2025–2030 Edition)

 

The newest Dietary Guidelines for Americans, released in January 2026, reflect several notable shifts from previous editions. These updates have sparked some strong reactions across public health, nutrition, and research communities.

Read more to learn the breakdown of the key changes—and interpret what they really mean through the lens of nutrition science.

We love to hear from our readers! Are there nutrition questions you have or subjects related to nutrition you would like to learn more about? Email your questions, suggestions, and inquiries to Dining@salisbury.edu for publication in our next issue of The Zest.

Catering Corner

What We've Been Cooking

News from University Catering

 

Just Because Packages 

(Must pick up on campus)

  • Send a special treat to a friend or student who is studying hard.
  • Order a snack for your study group.
  • Missing a birthday? Send a Smith Island cake to your friend or student.
  • Ask about Chick-fil-A mac and cheese – party trays are now available.
 
Just Because Packages

Staff Spotlight

Each month, Dining Services is proud to recognize the outstanding efforts of our team through our Employees of the Month program. 🎉 Their hard work, dedication, and positivity help make our campus dining experience the best it can be. Check back in our March issue for all our February winners. 

Our student workforce is key to our commitment to quality and an agile program that serves the campus community. Join our team and apply today!

UDS Hours of Operation

Check out our dining operations on campus.

Chesapeake Coffee Roasters

  • Monday-Thursday: 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
  • Friday: 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Saturday-Sunday: Closed
 

Chick-fil-A®

  • Monday-Friday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
  • Saturday: 3 p.m. - 9 p.m.
  • Sunday: Closed
 

Cool Beans Café

  • Monday-Friday: 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • Saturday-Sunday: Noon-7 p.m.
 

Conway Café

  • Monday-Thursday: 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
  • Friday-Sunday: Closed
 

Books & Bread

at Mr. Arthur's Café

  • Monday-Thursday: 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
  • Friday-Sunday: Closed
 

Commons

  • Monday-Thursday: 7:15 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
  • Friday: 7:15 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday: 
    • 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
    • Dinner: 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
     
  • Sunday: 
    • 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
    • Dinner: 4:30 p.m.-8 p.m.
     
 

Hungry Minds Express

  • Monday-Thursday: 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
  • Friday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Saturday: Closed
  • Sunday: 5-11 p.m.
 

Shore Café

  • Monday-Friday: 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Saturday-Sunday: Closed
 


"HERE FOR THE FOOD"

Dining Services

Commons Building (CB)

salisbury.edu/dining 

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