From its humble beginnings in 1881, UConn has grown to be one of the top public research universities in the nation. For over 137 years, the Department of Dining Services has kept pace with that growth, offering excellence in service while enhancing the campus experience through quality and value to students, faculty, and staff.
An award-winning department, Dining Services plays a vital role on the UConn Storrs campus. We serve over 100,000 meals per week in our eight residential dining units, as well as offering excellent food and service throughout campus in five cafes (including one that is plant-based), Union Street Market Food Court, three eateries, an ice cream shop, food truck, ice cream truck, and two bakeries (one strictly gluten-free). We also have a convenience store, student farm, catering division, test kitchen, commissary, and central production kitchen.
As one of the largest self-operated food service programs in the country, our services extend beyond just having tasty food for our customers. We strive to be sensitive to the varied needs of students with special dietary requirements such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, Kosher and Halal. As an organization being the sole provider of food service on our campus, we have the obligation, responsibility and honor of serving healthy, sustainable and delicious food to our student body.
Our Mission Statement: UConn’s Department of Dining Services’ team strives to provide students and guests with an exceptional, sustainable and diverse experience, one meal at a time.
Dining Services Core Values:
OUR STUDENTS FIRST
Provide a wide variety of healthy and nutritious food choices in support of an active and diverse campus life.
Provide student employment opportunities while delivering guest services and learning valuable life experience in the process.
OUR EMPLOYEES
Respect the contributions, rights and dignity of our employees.
Support employee growth through professional development and training.
OUR SUSTAINABILITY
Implement sustainable environmental practices that limit waste and conserve natural resources.
Commit to local and regional sourcing, in partnership with our suppliers.
OUR UNIVERSITY & LOCAL COMMUNITY
Provide services and support in collaboration with our communities.
OUR SERVICE
Strive to be an industry leader.
Meet campus needs through residential, retail, catering and support services.
Embrace flexibility and change.