As the new Washington State Ferries food vendor unveiled the onboard offerings at Colman Dock Monday, the localism message could not have been more clear.
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"Really what you're going to see is a lot more local products," said Diana Evans, a vice president at Centerplate, the national hospitality company that handles food for Safeco Field.
When the ferry system awarded Centerplate the new contract for galley food service, the outgoing vendor, Olympic Cascade Services, based in Kitsap County, sued unsuccessfully, and said localism would be lost.
On Monday, Centerplate lined up workers from local companies that will be providing ferry food.
Clam chowder will continue from Ivar's, coffee will come from Cafe Vita, wine from Stimson Estate Cellars, sausages from Uli's, and several local craft breweries will sell beer.
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Centerplate says in some cases, customers will pay 50 cents to a dollar more.
"Anywhere you're going to see a price increase, there's going to be a premium product behind it," Evans said.
Four ferries already have new food service.
All boats should be up and running by Oct. 16.
Centerplate plans to renovate the galley spaces, which will take up to six months.
The food will be branded Puget Sound Provisions and San Juan Provisions.
We’re getting our first look at the food that will be sold on Washington State Ferries. In a controversial move, the ferry system is changing vendors to Centerplate, a national company that promises many local offerings in ferry galleys. We’re looking at what will be sold on the ferries and what it will cost. Will you try it? We've posted menus here: kiro.tv/WAFerryFood
Posted by Graham Johnson on Monday, October 3, 2016
Cox Media Group
