Great food at University needs to give students choice over what, when, and where they eat. It should also be nutritious and delicious to guarantee the best academic outcomes, mental health, and general health. Let’s look at some of things that make a great University Dining service.
Meal Plans are usually central to great food on Campus. They bring together the diverse campus communities to eat together. The best Universities offer a variety of plans to suit your needs. Some plans are bundled with cash that you can spend around campus. University of North Texas Meal Plans are a great example.
Dining Centers/Commons/Halls offer a wide variety of choices. Once inside, you have a free choice which gives you the widest range. Yahentamitsi, is one of our favorites, at the University of Maryland.
Menus that are published in advance online are a positive indicator of great food. The best include full allergen, ingredient, and nutritional listings as the University is proud of what it produces. An example from Vanderbilt is here.
Self-operated by the University is another, generally good sign. It shows that the University believes in good food. This contrasts with a contractor who is usually more worried about their shareholders than students. Examples include UCLA and UMass Amherst.
Membership of trade groups like NACUFS or TUCO indicates a University is expanding its horizons. It also shows they are trying to improve. Participation in Menus of Change Universities Research Collaborative is another big tick. This group is invitation only, committed to great food through research. Stanford excel here.
Sustainability information that goes into lot’s of detail and is backed up by an external certification like the Cool Food Pledge or Food Made Good. The University of Reading does this well.
Nutritional framework that outlines commitments to healthy food. It emphasizes avoiding ultra processed foods. These foods are high in sugar, sodium/salt, and fats.
Rankings like Niche and Princeton Review cover US Campuses and we are working on a UK ranking.
MEAL PLANS WORK 