Best Venue for Locally Sourced Catering

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK

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College Park, Maryland – Let’s eat! Food is always an important element of any great event . At University of Maryland, College Park, you can always count on the food being outstanding. UMCP serves delicious, locally sourced meals to all of their attendees . Whether planning a wedding reception, corporate meeting, conference, seminar, or youth program at the University of Maryland, College Park, guests are guaranteed to have mouthwatering options at every meal .

Local sourcing is a main element of how UMCP does business. By choosing local, they are providing healthier options for guests, students, and faculty as well as supporting the College Park community . Good Tidings Catering is the university’s on-campus catering service and is using these locally sourced ingredients in the meals they prepare .

The first local source they partner with is Terp Farm – a joint venture of the Department of Dining Services and the College of Agriculture . Terp Farm is an organic farm and teaching lab where students receive hands-on experience not otherwise available on campus. Mixed lettuces, fresh heirloom tomatoes, root vegetables, herbs, gourds, and beans come from Terp Farm for use

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UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK Adult Social Events

Corporate Social Events Expos/Competitions Family Reunions Professional Meetings/Trainings/ Conferences/Retreats Wedding Ceremonies Wedding Receptions Youth Parties Youth Retreats/Camps Maximum Capacity 14,000 On-Site Spaces 100 Maximum Overnight 5,000

in catered offerings, the Green Tidings food truck, and dining hall special events . This is a wonderful initiative created by University of Maryland, College Park and not only offers fresh produce to the campus, but also a great learning opportunity for students!

The second local source that the University of Maryland, College Park employs are the raised beds in front of the Adele H . Stamp Student Union . These gardens provide herbs that Good Tidings Catering chefs add to gourmet creations that could be served to campus officials and visiting dignitaries. Certified campus chefs take pride in caring for these plants . While they’re gardening, chefs educate passing students about different uses for fresh herbs. University of Maryland, College Park prides itself on building connections between students and faculty, and this is an awesome example of how they are doing just that .

Finally, University of Maryland, College Park has created sustainability efforts to implement all over campus, especially for dining services . Good Tidings Catering and Goodies 2 Go deliveries work with the Facilities Department to provide waste-free events as often as possible. Procurement processes favor

sustainable ingredients for cooking. For example, vegetables served at events, in cafés, and dining halls are purchased fresh, then either roasted, steamed, sautéed, or simmered. Finally, the vegetables are seasoned and served . It is easier and more delicious when the caterers are using fresh produce for their meals .

In 2014, UMCP committed to sustainability – pledging to source 20 percent of food from sustainable sources by 2020. Can you believe that the university reached this goal by 2016? They continue to seek new ways to raise the bar and recently signed the Cool Food Pledge, an initiative that involves working with institutions around the world to lower the carbon footprint of the food that global organizations serve.

University of Maryland, College Park offers 100 meeting and event spaces for planners to utilize . A campus favorite is the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center which boasts gorgeous stained-glass and stunning details throughout the space . This is a great option for a wedding reception, fundraising gala, or a sophisticated social event . The Adele H . Stamp Student Union is home to two beautiful ballrooms and 13 other meeting rooms. The campus is full of facilities that will make your event unforgettable. Whether your group is big or small, University of Maryland, College Park has the perfect space for you .

During the summer months, various overnight accommodations are available for event attendees. Choose from standard residence halls, suites, or apartments. These rooms are spacious and offer guests a place to call home for a few days during their event .

Complete in-house audio/visual support is available during your event to ensure it goes off without a hitch. Microphones, projectors, screens, and LCD projectors are found in almost every meeting room . If your event requires the use of computers, you can work with the event staff to book a computer lab rental. Finally, the University of Maryland, College Park provides wireless internet access campus wide . The technological features at UMCP will ensure a great event!

So, we know you will enjoy delicious food during your event at University of Maryland, College Park, but what will you do for fun after your event ends? College Park, MD is full of exciting local attractions . If you are staying on campus, catch a men’s or women’s basketball game at the XFINITY Center or check out the TerpZone. Offcampus attractions include visiting one of the nearby cities – Washington, D .C ., Baltimore, or Annapolis . Book an event at University of Maryland, College Park today and you won’t be disappointed!

ONCE AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS TO UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK ON WINNING THE UNIQUE VENUES 2021 BEST VENUE FOR LOCALLY SOURCED CATERING AWARD!

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