Contact: Aaron Lambert
amlamber@calpoly.edu

Top Honors include Gold for Innovative Dining and Outreach and Education Programs of the Year

SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly Campus Dining was a four-time winner at the National Association of College and University Food Services’ 2025 Loyal E. Horton Dining awards.

Cal Poly earned four NACUFS awards earlier in June, 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.

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.

“We are thrilled to be recognized for a decade-long effort to substantially improve the Campus Dining program at Cal Poly,” said Andrea Burns, Cal Poly Partners’ associate executive director of Commercial Services. “The outcomes recognized by NACUFS are a result of significant financial investments combined with a best-in-class team that works every day to improve the lives of our students.”

For the Innovative Dining Program of the Year entry, the gold 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 and Sequel Tea and 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 gold award, Outreach and Education Program of the Year, centered around the on-campus Self-Care Fair that Campus Dining hosted last December to create 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.

“We’re honored to receive national recognition from NACUFS for our innovation, education and commitment to an exceptional dining experience,” said Russell Monteath, director of Commercial Services for Cal Poly Partners. “These awards reflect the creativity and dedication of the entire Campus Dining team, all in service of elevating the experience for Cal Poly students, faculty and staff — with students always at the heart of what we do.”

Cal Poly Campus Dining also received silver in the Renovation of the Year category showcasing the reopening of Cal Poly’s longest-operating food service facility following its $40 million renovation. The revamped facility, located off the University Union Plaza, revitalized the hub of campus and provided students a central place to gather while creating a sense of community and enjoying a wide range of unique and customizable culinary offerings.

Lastly, NACUFS recognized Cal Poly in the Residential Special Event of the Year category with an honorable mention for its inaugural Dining After Dining Student Associate Appreciation Party, honoring hundreds of student associates for their hard work throughout the year with an end-of-the-year evening of games, food, raffle prizes and trivia.

“Campus dining professionals often work behind the scenes, yet their impact is profound,” said NACUFS President and CEO Robert Nelson. “Through these award submissions, we see how food becomes a force for education, well-being, progress and community. From culturally enriching programs to human-centered design and pioneering approaches to nutrition, these initiatives reflect the power of dining to shape the student experience. We’re proud to recognize and share the inspiring work of teams who go above and beyond in service to their campus communities.”

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. calpoly.edu

About Cal Poly Partners

As the university’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit auxiliary, Cal Poly Partners’ purpose is crystal clear: to propel 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. calpolypartners.org