Spectator and Columbia College Student Council gather the largest vendor turnout yet at this semester’s Free Food Expo

Photo by Arielle Rieder / Columbia Daily Spectator

Restarted in April 2024, Free Food Expo brings local businesses and vendors to campus, providing students with delicious offerings. This semester’s Free Food Expo, hosted by Spectator and Columbia College Student Council, gathered the largest student turnout in recent history, as well as 19 vendors—the largest number in the event’s history. Some returning vendors included Junzi Kitchen, Oren’s Coffee, and Red Bull. There were also new additions to the lineup this semester: MAKI, Kim & Bob, and Copperleaf Bakery, to name a few. 

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A crowd favorite at Free Food Expo was Harlem Shake. A retro burger joint close to campus, Harlem Shake returned to the event this semester to serve its popular sliders and milkshakes. Store manager Taina Martinez discussed how Food Expo has not only brought new customers to the restaurant but also helped integrate the Columbia and Harlem communities.

“I do feel like this is a perfect way to clash worlds. … This has really helped bring a lot of customers, and then we can also help the school with our charity work and having collaborations that help—even have discounts for your students in Columbia as well,” Martinez said.

Want to hear more about Columbia U’s Free Food Expo? Read the article here: https://www.columbiaspectator.com/spectrum/2026/03/31/spectator-and-columbia-college-student-council-gather-the-largest-vendor-turnout-yet-at-this-semesters-free-food-expo/