Contact: Aaron Lambert
amlamber@calpoly.edu

SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly Campus Dining joined college and university dining teams from across the country this month as they were recognized for excellence in student-centered food service, by the National Association of College & University Food Services (NACUFS).

Cal Poly was awarded with two Grand Prizes during NACUFS’ 2025 Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards National Conference in Salt Lake City on July 11.

“This recognition is a testament to the commitment this team has to providing our students with best-in-class dining experiences and our constant evolution as dining program,” said Andrea Burns, Cal Poly Partners’ associate executive director of Commercial Services. “It inspires us to continue to learn, grow and adapt with the changing dining trends and work to keep exceeding expectations.”

The grand prizes were for Innovative Dining Program of the Year and Outreach and Education Program of the year.

The Innovative Dining Program of the Year award encompassed Cal Poly Campus Dining as a whole. This included its more than 40 unique dining platforms, mobile food trucks, concessions and catering operations, as well as the 800 employees who help it run.

The program provides a blend of local favorites such as Jewel of India, Sequel Tea, Plant Ivy and Scout Coffee with national brands like Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, Panda Express and Einstein Bros. Bagels. Additional features — such as a dedicated on-site registered dietitian, an award-winning sustainability program and consistent community outreach endeavors — set the program apart.

The second grand prize, Outreach and Education Program of the Year, centered around the on-campus Self-Care Fair that Campus Dining hosted last December and created a space for students to relax and de-stress during final-exams week. Participants were invited to unwind with massage therapists, enjoy food and beverages and engage in interactive activities such as candle painting, a tea-making station and more.

Cal Poly was recognized alongside dining programs from Boston College, Duke University, University of Florida, University of Pittsburgh and the University of Texas.

“These awards celebrate the people and programs shaping the future of collegiate dining,” said Robert Nelson, NACUFS president and CEO. “From sustainability to nutrition to innovation, our members are building stronger, more responsive foodservice communities that reflect the evolving needs of today’s students.”

Earlier in June Cal Poly earned four NACUFS awards, including gold for Innovative Dining Program of the Year and Outreach and Education Program of the year, silver for Renovation of the Year and an honorable mention for Residential Special Event of the Year.

The two gold awards led to this month’s grand prizes.

These results showcase the enormous strides taken in modernizing the brand in recent years, as well as behind-the-scenes innovation and dedication to make Cal Poly Campus Dining one of the premier dining programs in the country.

Cal Poly Campus Dining is a program of Cal Poly Partners, the university’s non-profit auxiliary and partner in campus services and enhancing the student experience.

To learn more about the NACUFS awards programs and view the full list of winners, visit www.NACUFS.org/Membership/Awards/Awards-Gallery-2025. 

About Cal Poly

Founded in 1901 and part of the renowned California State University system since 1960, Cal Poly is a nationally ranked, four-year, comprehensive polytechnic public university in San Luis Obispo, California. Known for its Learn by Doing approach, small class sizes and open access to expert faculty, Cal Poly is a distinctive learning community whose 22,000 academically motivated students enjoy an unrivaled hands-on educational experience that prepares them to lead successful personal and professional lives.

About Cal Poly Partners

As the university’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit auxiliary, Cal Poly Partners’ purpose is crystal clear: to propelling Cal Poly forward. Cal Poly Partners is 100 percent self-supporting and receives no state funding. Every dollar generated goes back to Cal Poly in support of Learn by Doing.

Photo caption: Cal Poly Campus Dining leadership and staff with their two Grand Prize and multiple other recognitions from the National Association of College and University Food Services’ 2025 Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards.