Vikings stadium seeking to diversify vendors

Minnesota Vikings stadium
This is an architectural rendering showing the east end of the new U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Vikings

The concession company at the new Minnesota Vikings stadium, which is about 10 months from completion, says its looking to diversify the operation's suppliers.

Aramark is holding a business fair Monday afternoon at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Company officials say they're looking to recruit women and minority businesses for everything from cleaning services to food stand operators.

"What we're looking for at this point is the unique companies out there," says Jamie Hodgson, general manager for Aramark's food and beverage operations at U.S. Bank Stadium. "A chocolate company. A bread company. Obviously we want to keep it local so when a fan walks in the building, they see a stand and say, 'Hey that's my neighborhood chocolatier.'"

Aramark won the concession contract for the stadium last year. Stadium officials say they hope to turn the stadium into a year-round event and hospitality operation.

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