Dairy Bar Accolades
2025
- Best of Hartford (Ice Cream Category) - First Runner Up
2024
- 1881 Reserve was awarded First Place in the American Originals – Monterey Jack category in the 2024 American Cheese Society Annual Judging and Competition. The cheese also received a bronze medal in the same class at the Big E Cheese Competition.
- Willimantic Chronicle Readers' Choice - Dairy Bar: Best Ice Cream Winner; Best Place to Visit with an Out-of-Town Guest - 2nd place
2023
- Willimantic Chronicle Readers' Choice - Dairy Bar: Best Ice Cream Winner; Best Place to Visit with an Out-of-Town Guest - Winner/1st place
- 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
- Best of Hartford (Ice Cream Category) - First Runner Up
2022
- Best of Hartford (Ice Cream Category) - First Runner Up
2021
- Best of Hartford (Ice Cream Category) - First Runner Up
- The Chronicle: Best of 2021 Readers' Choice Award, #2 Best Ice Cream
2020
- The Chronicle: Best of 2020 Readers' Choice Award, #1 Best Ice Cream
- Yankee Magazine: Best of New England Hall of Fame 2020
2019
- CTNow Best of Hartford - Best Ice Cream Shop, 1st Place
- American Society of Animal Science Big Scoop Competition - UConn Dairy Bar Lemon Ice Box Pie
- TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence - Hall of Fame
- The Chronicle: Best of 2019 Readers' Choice Award, #1 Best Ice Cream
- American Cheese Society 2019 - Chipotle Cheese (2nd place) & Green Chile (3rd place)
2018
- Connecticut Magazine: Best Ice Cream in Connecticut
2017
- Connecticut Magazine: Best Ice Cream in Connecticut
2015
- Connecticut Magazine Best of CT: Best Ice Cream Parlor
2014
- Connecticut Magazine Best Ice Cream in Connecticut
2013
- Connecticut Magazine Best Ice Cream in Connecticut
- Yankee Magazine Best of New England: Editor’s Choice
2012
- Yankee Magazine Best Ice Cream in New England
- Connecticut Magazine Best Ice Cream in Connecticut
Dining Services Accolades
2025
- Silver Award - Executive Chef Curtis Bangs (NACUFS Culinary Challenge - Northeast Regional Conference)
Recipe: chicken roulade with purple pommes purée, sautéed carrots, and pâté cream sauce - Green Restaurant Association 2025 Award - Location with the most Chemical & Pollution Reduction - Putnam Dining Hall
2024
- Gold - Special Diet Recipe (NACUFS Nutrition Awards Contest)
Butternut Cauliflower Creamy Pasta Bake - Greenest University Restaurant - Whitney Dining Hall (Green Restaurant Assoc)
2023
- Gold - Best Local Foods Recipe (NACUFS Nutrition Awards Contest)
- 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 Hall
- GRA 2023 Award - Location with the most Waste Reduction - Whitney Dining Hall
- GRA 2023 Award - Location with the most Water Conservation - McMahon Dining Hall
2022
- Bronze Medal - Executive Chef Sean Hawkins (NACUFS Culinary Challenge - Northeast Regional Conference)
Recipe: Herb Crusted Turkey Filet w/Leek Cream Sauce - Gold - Best Vegan Recipe (NACUFS Nutrition Award)
2021
- Green Campus Leader - Sierra Club
2020
- Green Campus Leader - Sierra Club
- Bronze - Best Vegan Recipe (NACUFS Nutrition Awards Contest)
2019
- Silver - Best Local Foods Recipe (NACUFS Nutrition Awards Contest)
- Top 25 College Dining Power Players - Food Management Magazine
- Green Campus Leader - Sierra Club
2018
- IFMA Silver Plate Award: Dining Services Executive Director, C. Dennis Pierce
- Menu Masters Healthful Innovations Award
- Gold - Best Vegan Recipe (NACUFS Nutrition Awards Contest)
- #3 in Top 30 Best College Dining Halls (Delish)
- Green Campus Leader - Sierra Club
2017
- Gold - Best Local Foods Recipe (NACUFS Nutrition Awards Contest)
- Bronze - Putnam (NACUFS - Loyal E. Horton Dining Award)
- 4 Bronze Medals: ACF Culinary Competition at Skidmore College
- All 8 Dining Units -3-Star Green Restaurant Certified
- Certified “Bee Campus USA” Affiliate
- Freshens Customer Appreciation Award
2016
- Gold - Best Vegan Recipe (NACUFS Nutrition Award)
- Green Circle Sustainability Award by DEEP
- NACUFS Theodore W. Minah Distinguished Service Award - C. Dennis Pierce
2015
- #1 Udi's Top 10 Gluten Free Accommodating Colleges List
- 1st Gluten Free College Bakery in the U.S.
- Gold - Best Local Foods Recipe (NACUFS Nutrition Awards Contest)
- Silver: One Plate, Two Plates (NACUFS Loyal E. Horton Award - Retail)
- Silver Medal - Chef Kyle Davis (NACUFS Culinary Challenge - Northeast Regional Conference)
Baby Bella and Pinoli Nut Buffalo Flank Steak with Cipollini Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes and Vegetable Medley
2014
- #1 Udi's Top 10 Gluten Free Accommodating Colleges List
- NACUFS: #1 for Gluten-free Dining Options
- 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
- 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
- NACUFS - Bronze Medal for McMahon Dining Renovation
- 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
Dining 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