Campus Dining to offer Bongo Java coffee for 2021-22 school year
Vanderbilt Campus Dining is pleased to announce a new partnership with Bongo Java to supply fresh roasted coffee for its network of residential dining halls and Munchie Marts. Starting this fall, students will be able to choose from a variety of custom-roasted blends including Commodore Blend medium roast, Vandy House Blend light roast, and Anchor Down Decaf dark roast. “Vanderbilt Campus Dining is committed to promoting sustainability and partnering with a local supplier like Bongo is a natural choice for our campus,” remarks Sean Carroll, Senior Director of Marketing and Auxiliary Operations.
Since its founding in 1993, Bongo Java has been a pioneer in the Nashville craft coffee scene; the company sources only organically-grown coffee from small-scale farmer groups, purchasing at prices above Fair Trade minimums. Owner Bob Bernstein explains, “Our mission is to expand the definition of quality, which means we care as much about factors such as how our coffee is grown, who it is purchased from and how it is paid for as we do about taste.” Bernstein enthusiastically adds, “We are darn excited that we will be providing excellent-tasting coffee to Vanderbilt students and faculty while making them feel good about drinking it.” Bongo Java was highly ranked by a series of tastings among Vanderbilt’s senior chefs, and enjoys a loyal following in the Nashville market.
In addition to providing fresh-roasted coffee for Vanderbilt’s dining halls and markets, Bongo Java has plans to partner with Campus Dining this year to host both coffee tasting and educational sessions as well. Dates and event information will be posted to Campus Dining’s Instagram account (@VandyCampusDining).