Rutgers Dining Services has been awarded the prestigious "Gold Distinction" for the 2026 Nutrition and Wellness Program of the Year by the National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS).
This national honor celebrates innovation in collegiate dining, specifically recognizing programs that successfully involve students and guests in the hands-on experience of nutrition. As the premier trade association dedicated to supporting excellence in campus dining, the NACUFS network includes more than 230 affiliated colleges and universities nationwide. This award underscores Rutgers' Dining Services' continued commitment to leading the country in culinary innovation and nutrition.
U. Dining Services announces campus-wide enhancements
Rutgers Dining Services began a campus-wide initiative of improvements in dining spaces. The Daily Targum recently attended a dining services meeting to hear about the upgrades coming to campus, from dining hall renovations, introducing new technology and curating new menu items. Read the full article
Eat the Rainbow, Paint the Rainbow!
More than a Meal: New Data on Dining Halls, Social Connectedness, and Retention
Campus dining halls help students build social connections that foster academic resilience, according to a new data analysis led by the Division of Student Affairs. Read the full article
Dining with a Side of Art: Rutgers Dining Services Teams Up with Scarlet Arts Rx to Connect Students to Creative Arts for Mental Health
Poor mental health is one of the top reasons students leave college. National data shows that 40 percent of students believe their mental health impacts their ability to focus, learn and perform academically “a great deal”; an additional 36 percent believe mental health impacts their college experience at least somewhat, according to a 2024 survey by Inside Higher Ed. Read the full article
A Healthy Side Dish of Art with Your Meal
In a creative collaboration during Wellness Week (April 21st-25th), Dining Services and Scarlet Arts Rx offered free mini paint palettes to students engaging with a ScarletWell-focused nutrition booth in campus dining facilities. This partnership aimed to highlight the parallel benefits of a balanced diet and artistic engagement, both shown to decrease stress and improve academic outcomes. Scarlet Arts Rx is a program supported by the Rutgers NB Chancellor Office - MGSA x GSAPP.
Multi-site Study on College Student Diet Diversity
Rutgers Dining Services is joining a multi-site study on college student diet diversity, supported by a $10,000 grant from the Menus of Change University Research Collaborative. This research project will identify opportunities and test interventions to increase students' knowledge and acceptance of healthy eating, specifically promoting a greater variety of plant-based options.
Nourishing Wellness: A New Initiative to Empower Rutgers Students
In partnership with Rutgers' Healthy Dining Team, Carys Neill has secured a $600 grant from the Scarlet Wellness Initiative to launch a groundbreaking project: Nourishing Wellness. This innovative program aims to inspire Rutgers students to embrace holistic health by exploring physical, social, environmental, and emotional well-being.
During the Spring 2025 semester, five interactive booths will pop up in campus dining halls, offering students a fun and engaging way to learn about the various dimensions of wellness. Through interactive activities, exciting prizes, and educational resources, students will be encouraged to reflect on their lifestyle choices and how they impact their overall health.
The Healthy Dining Team is committed to creating a supportive campus environment where students can thrive. By empowering students to make informed decisions about their health and well-being, we hope to foster a healthier and happier Rutgers community. We're excited to collaborate with ScarletWell to bring this initiative to life and positively impact the lives of Rutgers students.
Dining Services Adds Climate Labeling to Online Menus
As part of a sustainable menu initiative, Dining Services adds carbon footprint icons to online menu entrees served in the four main dining facilities. The carbon footprint icons act as an educational tool to help students make more sustainable food choices. The icons also serve as a metric for tracking menu sustainability over time. Learn more about Dining Services sustainable menu initiatives.
Menus of Change University Research Collaboration Presentation
Alexandra Ceribelli and Dr. Peggy Policastro, our dynamic duo from Dining Services, made waves at this year's Menus of Change University Research Collaborative (MCURC) at Boston University. Their groundbreaking case study, "Promoting Plant-Based Diets Through the Power of Defaults," showcased the innovative strategies they've implemented to encourage healthier eating habits on our campus. By leveraging the psychology of choice architecture, they've successfully nudged students towards plant-based options, demonstrating that even subtle changes can have a big impact on dietary choices.
Dining Services Receives Straight A’s for Sustainable Menus
When it comes to sustainable menus, Rutgers Dining Services is leading the way with straight A’s. In the 2024 College & University Protein Sustainability Survey, conducted by The Humane Society, Rutgers Dining Services excelled in the sustainable dining areas of menu transparency, goal setting, and plan of action. Dining Services scored an A grade on the Humane Society’s sustainability scorecard, acing almost every category tested. Read more about Dining Service’s sustainability efforts.
Dining Services Ranks Top 100 Food Allergy Friendly Universities
Rutgers Dining Services was ranked among one of the top 100 food allergy friendly universities in 2024 by Spokin, a popular lifestyle app which aims to help individuals managing food allergies. Out of the hundreds of colleges and universities reviewed on the Spokin app, Rutgers Dining Services ranks top of its class when it comes to knowledgeable staff, food allergen accommodations, and dining inclusivity. Rutgers Dining Services has a sophisticated system in place to provide individually prepared, allergen-free meals to students across all four campuses. Learn more about how we accommodate students with dietary restrictions—please contact our nutritionists at nutrition@dining.rutgers.edu.
Dining Nutritionist Quoted in Total Food Service Article
Dr. Peggy Policastro, RDN (Dining Services) was recently quoted in the May 2022 issue of Total Food Service on the topic of Let’s Grow! Experts Share Plant-Based Cooking Tips. Dr. Policastro provided tips for expanding plant-based menu options. Read the full article here
What’s Cooking in Dining Halls
Promo: “What’s Cooking in the Dining Halls” Undergraduate Research. Rutgers Today (March 2024) Read the article here
