UMBC FOOD ORDERING GUIDE
The University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) has updated the process to order food for a variety of on-site food needs (meetings, dinners, receptions, etc.) and campus events, including formal catering with active service by catering staff. Effective June 1, 2025, the following options are available for food orders for UMBC.
CONTINUING PROCESSES
Departmental Card (DCARD)
This program is managed by Retriever Card Center and Mail Services and is used by campus departments who have this card. The DCARD can be used at the following merchants for food: Sorrento of Arbutus, Papa Johns (Arbutus location), and Oca Mocha. Additional information about the DCARD program, including how to obtain a DCARD, can be found here.
Chartwells
Chartwells is the contracted dining and food provider for the UMBC campus through June 30, 2028. While they remain in that role, catering of any size can be ordered from them using this link. Expenses up to $5,000 should be paid by P-card. Expenses over $5,000 should be applied to contract PROC-2026-1742.
Recent Contracted Caterers
The following caterers can also be used. Expenses up to $5,000 should be paid by P-card. Expenses over $5,000 will need to be paid by purchase order (PO).
| Absolutely Perfect Catering:
Joshua Lennon Phone: 410-579-8777 (SBR) E-mail: josh@apcaters.com Website: www.absolutelyperfectcatering.com |
Main & Market:
Evie Turner Phone: 410-626-0388 E-mail: evie@mainandmarket.com Website: www.mainandmarket.com |
| Classic Catering People:
Larry Frank Phone: 410-356-1666 E-mail: lfrank@classiccatering.com Website: www.classiccatering.com |
ROUGE Fine Catering:
Heather Mekiliesky Phone: 410-527-0007 E-mail: delight@rougecatering.com Website: www.rougecatering.com |
| Glenmore Catering:
Dee Parry Phone: 410-455-5930 (SBR) E-mail: glenmoregarden@aol.com Website: glenmorecaterers.com |
NEW PROCESSES
Orders up to $25,000
Campus departments/offices will be able to identify new food merchants who can meet UMBC’s business needs. The merchant will need to agree and sign the UMBC Food Provision Agreement, they must be added as a supplier in PAW (initiated by the requesting UMBC department/office, if they are not already an active supplier in PAW), and they must agree to accept a purchase order if a P-card can’t be used.
- If the expense is $5,000 or less, a P-card should be used if they have a Merchant Category Code (MCC) of Caterer (5811).
- If their MCC is Restaurant (5812) or Fast Food (5814), the P-card can’t be used and the merchant will receive payment through purchase order.
- NOTE: UMBC is unable to change the MCC or allow P-cards to work on restricted codes.
Orders between $25,000 and $200,000
Campus departments/offices will be able to identify food merchants who can meet UMBC’s business needs. Competitive pricing is required and a minimum of three quotes will be required for a simplified procurement process. The merchant will need to agree to the UMBC Food Provision Agreement and be added as a supplier in PAW (initiated by the requesting UMBC department/office, if they are not already an active supplier in PAW). The merchant will also agree to receive payment through a purchase order.
NOTE: The UMBC Food Provision Agreement will be sent to the merchant by Procurement staff for signing. UMBC users should complete the Request to Add Food Provider form to initiate this process. A list of approved food providers will be posted on Procurement’s website.
If you have any questions about these changes or need assistance with your catering plans, please contact Procurement at https://procurement.umbc.edu/contact-us/.
ADDITIONAL NOTES AROUND FOOD ORDERING:
- If the events will only have UMBC staff in attendance, the Meal Pre-Approval Form MUST be completed prior to the event. The University’s Meal/Food Policy can be found on the University’s Policy Website at http://www.umbc.edu/policies/.
- For events $5,000 and under: the completed Meal Pre-Approval Form must be included in monthly P-card documentation, in addition to other support documentation (attendance list, agenda, etc.).
- For events greater than $5,000: the completed Meal Pre-Approval Form must be attached to the requisition sent to Procurement with the quote for issuance of the purchase order.
- No alcoholic beverages may be purchased using State funds or be on the same order form as items paid with State funds.
- The caterer will provide a “Banquet Event Order Form” that is “event” specific which is to be signed by a representative of the department making the arrangements. This form is not to include any terms or conditions but rather just the pertinent information on the event (date, time, location, setup, ordered items, etc.). Should you find that terms or conditions are included, please do not sign this form and contact Procurement staff, who will assist with this matter.
FORMAL CATERING SPECIFIC INFORMATION:
- They can provide:
- A variety of menus (breakfast, lunch, dinner, reception, etc.) are available for use
- Inside delivery and set-up as requested
- Standard linen service (extra cost may apply)
- Clean-up and trash removal
- Signage as needed to identify the food being served and the location of food venues, if applicable
- Tables and chairs as needed by the department, if the quantity of these items is not available in the university’s inventory
The University generally does not issue deposits for catering event orders. However, in specific situations deposits that are required before the date of the event will not be more than 20% of the total event cost.