Chemeketa Community College And Genuine Foods Celebrate Grand Reopening Of Going Up Café - 12/19/25

Refreshed campus café expands access, efficiency, and scratch-made dining for students and employees

SALEM, OREGON — January 6, 2025 — Chemeketa Community College, in partnership with Genuine Foods, a national leader in scratch-made, purpose-driven dining, will celebrate the grand reopening and ribbon-cutting of the Going Up Café in Building 2 on Tuesday, January 6, at 10:00 a.m.

The refreshed café represents the next phase of a culinary partnership launched in 2023. Through facility modernization, Chemeketa and Genuine Foods are prioritizing campus food access by improving functionality, faster service, and enhancing the overall dining experience for students and employees.

The updated Going Up Café now features:

• A new walk-up coffee window for quick service between classes
   

• Online ordering for efficient, mobile-friendly pickup
   

• An expanded, rotating menu with fresh, scratch-made offerings
   

• Enhanced kitchen infrastructure serving as the primary culinary hub for the Salem campus
   

“This transformation reflects our commitment to creating spaces that support student success and foster a sense of community,” said Elizabeth Facanha, event manager at Chemeketa. “We are excited to offer a refreshed café experience that better aligns with campus needs.”

Genuine Foods worked closely with college leadership to optimize the café layout and elevate the food experience while maintaining the convenience of the existing location and accessible pricing.

“We believe that good food unlocks potential,” said Paula Reichel, chief innovation officer for Genuine Foods. “This makeover gives students and staff more of what they’ve asked for—from hot meals to grab-and-go coffee to friendlier service. We’re proud of what we’ve built together.”

Grand Opening Event Details

• What: Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting for Going Up Café
   

• When: Tuesday, January 6, at 10:00 a.m.
   

• Where: Building 2, Chemeketa Community College
   

• Address: 4000 Lancaster Drive NE, Salem, OR 97305
   

The event will include remarks from campus leadership and opportunities to sample café menu favorites.

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For more than 50 years, Chemeketa Community College has committed itself to transforming lives and our community through exceptional learning experiences in the Mid-Willamette Valley. As the second largest multi-campus district in Oregon, Chemeketa serves 17,000 students annually at its Salem and Yamhill Valley campuses, as well as Brooks, Eola, Winema, Dallas, Woodburn and Chemeketa Center for Business and Industry (CCBI).
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About Genuine Foods

Genuine Foods is a national purpose-driven food service company, turning everyday meals into memorable experiences through delicious, scratch-made dishes rooted in culinary excellence, health and wellness, and hospitality that goes beyond the plate. The company serves public and private K–12 schools, colleges and universities, and healthcare facilities across the country using fresh ingredients, a people-first approach, and a deep commitment to integrity and community impact. For more information, visit genuinefoods.com.

Chemeketa Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educational institution.