Memberships
National Restaurant Association
National Association of Convenience Stores
University & College Designers Association
National Association of College and University Food Services
Connecticut Northeast Organic Farming Association (CT NOFA)
CT Dept. of Agriculture Farm to Chef Program
Working Lands Alliance, A Project of American Farmland Trust
Dining Accolades
2023
- Willimantic Chronicle Readers’ Choice – Dairy Bar: Best Ice Cream & Best Place to Visit with an Out-of-Town Guest
- UConn Creamery: Big E Gold Medal Cheese Competition
- Silver Medal – Old Farm Lane Fresh Cheese – Green Chile
- Silver Medal – Old Farm Lane Fresh Cheese – Chipotle
- Bronze Medal – Old Farm Lane Fresh Cheese – unflavored
- NACUFS Nutrition Contest – Gold Medal for Best Local Foods Recipe
- Green Restaurant Association (GRA)
- All eight dining halls now have the highest rating of 4 Stars
- GRA 2023 Award – Location with the most Chemical & Pollution Reduction – Putnam Dining
- GRA 2023 Award – Location with the most Waste Reduction – Whitney Dining
- GRA 2023 Award – Location with the most Water Conservation – McMahon Dining
- Best of Hartford (Ice Cream Category) – First Runner Up – UConn Dairy Bar
2022
- Best of Hartford (Ice Cream Category) – First Runner Up – UConn Dairy Bar
- NACUFS Culinary Challenge – Northeast Regional Conference
Chef Sean Hawkins – Bronze – Herb Crusted Turkey Filet w/Leek Cream Sauce - NACUFS Nutrition Contest – Gold Medal for Best Vegan Recipe
2021
- Best of Hartford (Ice Cream Category) – First Runner Up – UConn Dairy Bar
- Sierra Club 2021 Green Campus Leader
- The Chronicle: Best of 2021 Readers’ Choice Award, #2 Best Ice Cream – UConn Dairy Bar
2020
- Sierra Club 2020 Green Campus Leader
- The Chronicle: Best of 2020 Readers’ Choice Award, #1 Best Ice Cream – UConn Dairy Bar
- NACUFS Nutrition Contest – Bronze Medal for Best Vegan Recipe
- Yankee Magazine: Best of New England Hall of Fame 2020 – UConn Dairy Bar
2019
- NACUFS Nutrition Contest – Silver Medal for Best Local Foods Recipe
- Food Management Magazine: Top 25 College Dining Power Players
- Sierra Club 2019 Green Campus Leader
- CTNow Best of Hartford – Best Ice Cream Shop, 1st Place, UConn Dairy Bar
- American Society of Animal Science Big Scoop Competition – UConn Dairy Bar Lemon Ice Box Pie
- TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence – Hall of Fame, UConn Dairy Bar
- The Chronicle: Best of 2019 Readers’ Choice Award, #1 Best Ice Cream – UConn Dairy Bar
- American Cheese Society 2019 – Chipotle Cheese (2nd place) & Green Chile (3rd place), UConn Dairy Bar
2018
- IFMA Silver Plate Award to Dining Services, Executive Director, C. Dennis Pierce
- Menu Masters Healthful Innovations Award
- NACUFS Nutrition Contest – Gold Award for Best Vegan Recipe
- Delish: #3 in Top 30 Best College Dining Halls
- Sierra Club 2018 Green Campus Leader
- Connecticut Magazine: Best Ice Cream in Connecticut, UConn Dairy Bar
2017
- NACUFS Nutrition Contest – Gold Medal for Best Local Foods Recipe
- NACUFS – Residential Dining Unit – Bronze Medal for Putnam
- 4 Bronze Medals: ACF Culinary Competition at Skidmore College
- Connecticut Magazine: Best Ice Cream in Connecticut, UConn Dairy Bar
- All 8 Dining Units -3-Star Green Restaurant Certified
- Certified “Bee Campus USA” Affiliate
- Freshens Customer Appreciation Award
2016
- NACUFS Nutrition Contest – Gold Medal for Best Vegan Recipe
- Green Circle Sustainability Award by DEEP
2015
- Connecticut Magazine Best of CT: Best Ice Cream Parlor, UConn Dairy Bar
- #1 Best Gluten Free Service Program
- 1st Gluten Free College Bakery in U.S.
- NACUFS Nutrition Contest – Gold Medal for Best Local Foods Recipe
- NACUFS Loyal Horton Award: Silver: Retail Sales – Single Concept – One Plate, Two Plates
- NACUFS Culinary Challenge – Northeast Regional Conference
Chef Kyle Davis -Silver Medal – Baby Bella and Pinoli Nut Buffalo Flank Steak with Cipollini Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes and Vegetable Medley
2014
- NACUFS: #1 for Gluten-free Dining Options
- Connecticut Magazine Best Ice Cream in Connecticut, UConn Dairy Bar
- NACUFS: Silver Medal for Sustainability
- NACUFS: Bronze Medal for Culinary Challenge
- AFC Bronze Medal Chef Culinary Competition
2013
- Sierra Magazine 2013 #1 “Coolest Green Schools”
- LEED Gold Certification for McMahon Dining Unit
- The Daily Meal: Top 60 Best Colleges for Food
- Connecticut Magazine Best Ice Cream in Connecticut, UConn Dairy Bar
- Yankee Magazine Best of New England: Editor’s Choice, UConn Dairy Bar
- NACUFS Nutrition Contest – Silver Medal for Best Local Foods Recipe
- Sierra Magazine 2013: Top 5 “Coolest Schools”
- KBE Building Corporation received first place from the Connecticut Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc., for their renovation of McMahon Dining Hall
2012
- Yankee Magazine Best Ice Cream in New England, UConn Dairy Bar
- NACUFS – Bronze Medal for McMahon Dining Renovation
- Connecticut Magazine Best Ice Cream in Connecticut, UConn Dairy Bar
- Environmental Leadership Award
- The Connecticut Journalism Award
- Best Business in Windham County
- Sierra Magazine 2012: Top 5 “Coolest Schools”
- PETA: Elite 8: Most Vegan Friendly Schools
2011
- Sierra Magazine 2011: Top 20 “Coolest Schools”
2010
- Sierra Magazine 2010: Top 20 “Coolest Schools”
- NACUFS Culinary Competition
- NACUFS Silver Medal for Catering – special event
2009
- NACUFS: Bronze Medal for Most Innovative Nutrition Contest
2008
- National Restaurant Association Menu Masters Award
- Campbell’s Golden Ladle Award
- Silver Medal at UMass 14th Annual Chef Culinary Competition
- NACUFS Gold Medal for Whitney Dining Hall/Local Routes