Tufts University leads the way in campus dining by focusing on health, sustainability and diverse flavors. For over a decade, Avendra International has collaborated with Tufts to redefine university dining. Our shared commitment to sustainability and innovation enhances Tufts’ dining experience while fostering the next generation of culinary innovators.
The preferences of tomorrow’s consumers are being shaped in colleges and universities worldwide. The exposure students receive through campus dining programs significantly influences their future tastes and dining choices—so providing locally-sourced, healthy options is paramount for educating students about making the best nutritional decisions.
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of Patti Klos, Senior Director of Dining at Tufts, students have an abundance of choices. And, with the support of Avendra International, the dining services team has the procurement expertise and supplier network necessary to maintain this high standard.
As an advocate for local sourcing and innovative dining solutions, Patti brings forward-thinking ideas to Tufts’ nine dining facilities serving 6,600 undergraduate students and cites Avendra International as her “secret sauce” in achieving this. Her dedication to excellence earned her the prestigious Theodore W. Minah Award for Distinguished Service from the National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS) and the Silver Plate from IFMA The Food Away from Home Association.
Since Patti joined Tufts, she has faced the challenge of modernizing the university’s food purchasing processes. In her second decade at Tufts, she began exploring procurement solutions. Previously, Tufts’ team spent considerable time negotiating prices and juggling vendors to find the best deals, often at the expense of service quality.
“We wanted to leverage purchasing power, streamline providers and look at longer-term buying solutions,” recalls Patti. Attending a NACUFS conference introduced the Tufts team to Avendra International, and the results were immediate.
“Avendra International has helped us save money from Day 1 and has helped us to deliver better service to our students, faculty and staff,” says Patti.
At Avendra International, we’re dedicated to ensuring our clients receive the best prices, services and support to meet their business objectives. Patti emphasizes that Tufts' long-term relationship with Avendra International is a key component of their success.
“The true value of a long-term procurement partnership, like the one with Avendra International, lies in the mutual understanding and shared goals we develop over time. Their expertise offers us valuable perspectives in areas such as forecasting, economics, futures and contracting,” Patti explains.
This collaborative approach has enabled Tufts to effectively manage its diverse dining needs. With students, faculty and staff from nearly all 50 states and over 50 countries, Tufts’ dining program reflects the global diversity of its community. Through Avendra International’s extensive network of vetted suppliers and focus on regional sourcing, Tufts has successfully embodied its philosophy of "think globally, act locally."
Patti appreciates Avendra's ability to connect them with regional suppliers while upholding high standards. “In addition to their global reach, Avendra International partners closely with local vendors to meet our needs,” she says. “These suppliers undergo regular audits, including the Meet the Trucks program and quality assurance standards.”
Regarding overall savings, Patti highlights the greatest benefit being the broadliner :
While cost savings are a crucial advantage of working with Avendra International, Patti emphasizes the importance of quality customer service. For instance, when a dairy delivery issue arose, Avendra provided strategic solutions that resolved the problem smoothly.
“With Avendra International, it doesn’t feel like they’re only concerned with the dollars,” Patti explains. “They’re invested in the overall success of our organization and building productive relationships. This allows us to deliver a level of quality people have come to expect from Tufts University, and our leadership feels is reflective of the experience we want a Tufts student to have.”
Together, Tufts University and Avendra International are proving that when collaborators align with purpose, the results benefit everyone involved—from students and staff to local communities and global suppliers.
Find more success stories like this in the Spring/Summer 2025 Edge Magazine. Request your copy today!