University Park

Campus store wins national award for 'best idea'

University Park, Pa. — A national food services organization presented Sisu, the all natural and organic convenience store at the University Park campus of Penn State, an award recognizing the shop's creative concept and unique services.

The National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS) picked Sisu out of 38 other food service concepts for its seventh annual "Best in the Business" Campus Convenience Store Award for excellence in the "Big Idea" category.

With all natural choices gaining popularity across the country, Sisu took an original approach in showcasing its options and presenting students with many healthy choices — without being a health food store.

"A lot of all natural and organic stores like Sisu are very nature-focused with images of rainforests and chirping frogs," Jennifer Krise, Sisu assistant manager, said. "We wanted to take a different spin and push the idea of a straight-edge and active lifestyle."

Wall climbing grips and skateboard shelves showcase the active way of living that Sisu promotes. The look and feel matches the healthy options the store has inside, from fair-trade coffees to fresh fruit smoothies.

"We are not a health food store. It’s a place where you can find food that’s kinder to your body and friendly to your palette," Krise said. "Students can get what they want, but with a healthier twist."

Sisu replaced Moxie, a general convenience store, in the fall and it took students a few months to get used to the new shop. Since then, features like the store's peanut butter and jelly bar and to-go section have become very popular.

"With the growing popularity of Sisu, it really shows the importance students place on having organic and all natural choices," Krise said. "Along with this award, it validates that it was worth it and that our peers from across the country are impressed — and that's really exciting."

NACUFS is a national association for collegiate food service operators at nearly 600 institutions of higher education.

A student makes her sandwich at Sisu's peanut butter and jelly bar. Credit: Jerilyn Brom / Penn StateCreative Commons

Last Updated November 18, 2010

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