Through partnership, UK, Compass Group to launch mobile food initiative to serve Kentucky communities
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 12, 2026) — The University of Kentucky’s mission is clear: to advance Kentucky in everything we do.
Through UK’s Enterprise Services Partnership with our preferred partner, Compass Group, the university is expanding its ability to serve all 120 counties across the Commonwealth.
Through the partnership, UK and Compass Group will work to launch two mobile food trucks — an initiative known as “Food Force One.” The program is designed to bring access to fresh, nutritious meals, education and outreach directly to Kentucky communities.
“We exist to serve Kentucky and this initiative puts our mission into action,” said UK President Eli Capilouto. “By taking our work and our knowledge beyond campus and into our communities, we’re connecting people to the resources, education and support that can make a meaningful difference in their lives.”
UK is exploring how strategic partnerships can support both campus operations and broader public impact.
“Strong communities are built on access — access to nutritious food, education and resources that support health and well-being,” said Blair Choate, a senior vice president with Compass Group. “As we continue building our partnership with the University of Kentucky, Food Force One reinforces a shared commitment to serving communities throughout the Commonwealth. By expanding access to food and public health programs, we can help build healthier communities while strengthening connections to Kentucky farmers and producers.”
The mobile units will serve as platforms for collaboration between UK programs — including healthcare, UK Cooperative Extension Services and community engagement — creating opportunities to deliver resources in both urban and rural areas.
“Advancing Kentucky Together and our land-grant mission means strengthening both the health of our people and the vitality of our communities. This collaborative initiative brings those priorities together,” said Laura Stephenson, vice president for land-grant engagement and dean of the UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. “It also allows us to showcase the strength of our state’s agriculture through purchasing of locally-grown food while also addressing food access challenges.”
The effort reflects a shared commitment between the university and Compass Group to improve health outcomes and strengthen local food systems statewide.
“Food Force One represents a new way of meeting people where they are,” said Chipper Griffith, dean of the UK College of Medicine. “As a medical college focused on improving the health of Kentuckians, we know access to nutritious food is foundational. This initiative allows us to connect care, prevention and education directly to communities that need it most.”
“Oral health is essential to overall health, yet many Kentuckians still do not have consistent access to dental care. We see Food Force One as an extension of the work we do year-around to expand education and help people better understand how to care for their oral health,” said Jeffrey P. Okeson, dean of the UK College of Dentistry.
The Food Force One trucks would be used for:
- Community outreach events and public health initiatives
- Nutrition education and demonstrations
- Emergency response and support during community needs
- Partnerships with local producers and Extension programs
- On-site recruiting to help connect Kentuckians with opportunities at UK
“Through the Enterprise Services Partnership, we are focused on improving how our systems work so we can do more for the people we serve. Food Force One reflects that approach — combining operational innovation with meaningful, on-the-ground impact across communities in Kentucky,” said Eric Monday, executive vice president for finance and administration and co-executive vice president for health affairs.
UK and Compass Group continue to work on final details related to the partnership, with the goal of a contract in place July 2026.
Already, the partnership is committed to keeping current UK employees as UK employees with no changes to their pay or benefits. Read UK’s update to employees about the Enterprise Services Partnership.
UK is lowering student meal plan prices by 5% this upcoming academic year. Read UK’s update for students about that plan.
Starting with the upcoming football season, fans will see cheaper prices on core concession items. Read UK’s plan for an enhanced game day.
Learn more about UK’s Enterprise Services Partnership online at https://evpfa.uky.edu/enterprise-services-partnership.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and healthcare. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $1.02 billion research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.