Our Values

• The culinary team includes 16 trained and credentialed chefs assigned to dining halls, catering and retail operations. 
  • Each culinary station in the three dining halls has an individual theme and rotating offerings, as well as periodic specials. 
  • Current dining hall menus can be found at nutrition.umd.edu.  
• Assistance for students with allergies and special dietary requirements. 

We take our responsibility very seriously, understanding that we provide food for resident students seven days a week for the entire semester.  

• The nutrition team and culinary team created the Purple Program: The Purple Zone in 251 North  has earned the national "Free From" certification. This station prepares food for the Purple Zone in South Campus Dining Hall. 
• Menus have icons indicating what allergens are contained in each food item, and online menus list ingredients and icons with their descriptions. 
• We suggest that students with allergies – especially multiple or threatening allergies – contact the nutrition team for counseling. They’re ready to work with you to provide safe and appropriate food all day long. Reach out using our allergy and food intolerances form.
• We accommodate many dietary requirements and preferences. Menu icons specify which food is vegetarian, vegan or other. Nutrition.umd.edu includes information on ingredients, nutritional contents, cooking methods and more.  

• Staff are trained in customer service and work hard to ensure that your Maryland Dining experiences are positive. In addition, staff receive training in:
  • Allergens – Cooks and servers wearing purple chef coats or aprons have specific training in understanding and assisting students with allergies.  
  • Employees are required to participate in COVID-19 protocol training sessions; service and cleaning protocols; and how to best maintain personal and customer safety. 
• Customer comments / online conversations
  • There is always an operations manager on site and we love to talk with students. We also have online comment cards that connect with the manager on duty. Comments and responses are posted on our website at go.umd.edu/DSconvo
• We participate in the NACUFS Benchmarking Survey (National Association of College and University Food Service), measuring guest satisfaction. This is another opportunity for you to tell us how we’re doing! 

• The University of Maryland is the first university in the world to sign the World Resources Institute’s Cool Food Pledge. We committed to climate action and slashed food-related greenhouse gas emissions on campus by 25% as of 2020. 
• We participate in the Menus of Change University Research Collaborative, an international group moving people toward healthier, more sustainable and delicious foods using evidence based research, education and innovation. 
• Maryland Dining is a recognized leader in the support of UMD Sustainability programs and received three UMD Sustainability Fund Grants:
  • 2019 Ocean Friendly Campus
  • 2016 Anytime Dining
  • 2014 Terp Farm.  
• Award-winning program: 
  • NACUFS awards 2020 Bronze for Sustainability outreach and education
  • 2013 Grand Prize for Sustainability and Gold for Waste Management 

• Maryland Dining operates the Maryland Campus Pantry, providing emergency food for terrapin community members in need. For more information or to get involved, go to campuspantry.umd.edu 
• The Maryland Campus Pantry remained open throughout campus closure, providing food to terrapins who were left with limited resources.
• Maryland Dining is worked with Prince George’s County to provide bags of groceries to county residents homebound as a result of COVID-19. 

• We know that you are investing in the Maryland college experience when you decide to live on campus. We are committed to providing outstanding value to students who dine with us.
• When you eat with us, we write the menus, purchase, prep, cook and serve your meal then clean up afterward, all for approximately $8.00 per meal.
• You can use Dining Dollars to eat with us in cafes and shops all over campus. Add Dining Dollars to your resident plan and get up to a 21% discount!