New catering protocols, improved system began July 1

A new streamlined system is making it easier than ever for campus units to secure catering services, and offers units a wider variety of caterers from which to choose. The University of Florida’s Approved Caterer Program went into effect on July 1 and impacts all caterers providing food services (including alcoholic beverages, when applicable) for events on campus.

All caterers are now approved through UF’s Business Services Division by supplying required documentation, including licenses and insurance documents. The new program protocols eliminate the need for departments to acquire these documents themselves and for caterers to supply the documentation multiple times for different departments. The list of approved caterers and information for campus departments to review before booking their catering events is available to all UF entities online at https://www.bsd.ufl.edu/catering/.

The new program protocols benefit the university in many ways, including ensuring best catering practices to protect the health and safety of students, faculty, staff and guests at UF; offering departments greater flexibility and variety when selecting caterers; and ensuring caterers comply with UF’s rules and regulations regarding alcohol, retail and food service.

The Approved Caterer Program also supports UF’s sustainability practices by encouraging caterers to follow UF’s waste, recycling, composting and Styrofoam-free policies.

Approved caterers will be charged a 3 percent service fee based on the total price of the catered event to cover the administrative costs of this program.

The program covers both private and public events held on the main campus in Gainesville and on UF property within the immediate area when the caterer delivers on campus, whether they are simply delivering or are delivering and serving food. Deliveries for personal consumption and items picked up from the vendor are not included in this program.

The Approved Caterer Program’s streamlined catering protocols are based on a successful pilot program operating since 2013.

UF employees responsible for processing payments to caterers will be provided instructions on any procedural changes in the near future.