Office food reminder

Because it’s that time of year when critters escape the cold and seek out warm spaces, we’re starting to see mice in Williamson Hall. To help keep them out, please clean up your workspaces after eating and seal up any leftover food in plastic, metal, or glass containers since mice can chew through bags. Sealing up food in chew-proof containers will also help them stay out of small spaces, such as cabinets and drawers.

We have vacuums available if you need to clean up the floor around your workspace. If you have a personal trash can at your desk, you are responsible for emptying it. All food waste should go in the big trash cans available in our break rooms since those are emptied daily.

BIPOC business owners at the Minnesota State Fair

The Minnesota State Fair is a great opportunity for fairgoers to explore new foods. It’s also a way for small business owners—including BIPOC business owners—to showcase their existing business or kickstart a new business. Here are some examples from this year’s Great Minnesota Get-Together!

• New this year
• One new booth that arrived at the 2025 State Fair was from Lumpia City. Lumpia, Filipino fried spring rolls, come in both sweet and savory varieties. The sweet variety, a banana French toast lumpia, created a lot of buzz amongst fairgoers.
• Another new vendor in 2025 was Midtown Global Market’s Oasis Grill & Hoyo Sambusa. Offerings included street fries, sambusas (both mini and full-size), and slushies. The Midtown Global Market is a great way to check out more food, events, and global goods all year round!
• An old favorite
• Union Hmong Kitchen is an old favorite of the DEI committee. Their offerings this year included Galabao with Kua Txob, Shrimp & Pork Toast On-A-Stick, as well as a coconut lychee cocktail.

Food and drink in Northrop

The Surdyk’s cafe closed in Northrup and a new cafe will be opening in its former location in late summer 2022. The new cafe will provide a great option for coffee, hot or cold lunches, and snacks. Until it opens, you can find alternative food and drink options available at Coffman Memorial Union.