Dining Awards
We don’t do what we do for the awards, but it is nice when we are recognized for our efforts. Through the years our talented and dedicated team of managers, supervisors, chefs, cooks, dining assistants, student workers, nutrition and administrative teams are proud to be acknowledged for our merits.
2024 Awards
Innovative Dining Program of the Year
Awarded to dining programs who were forward thinking in all aspects of their operation, including, but not limited to, technology, menu, guest experience, student affordability, staffing, and employee development.
Renovation of the Year - Cork & Craft
Awarded to an outstanding renovation that opened in the calendar year of the awards.
Residential Dining Facility of the Year - Radicchio
Awarded to an outstanding dining facility that encapsulates the spirit of enhancing the student experience. The facility does not need to be new to enter and can be entered in multiple years. Second entries and onward must highlight new aspects of the operation that were created to enhance the student/guest experience in the facility
Ranked #21 in Top 100 Food Allergy - Friendly Colleges 2024
These colleges offer students a safe home away from home with dedicated allergen-free dining halls and stations, allergen menus, knowledgeable staff, and their willingness to make accommodations
2023 Awards
Best Food Allergy Innovation For Universities
The Arizona Dining team has been awarded Best Food Allergy Innovation for Universities. These efforts include our new all-you-care-to-eat dining location (Radicchio), our new Dining Guide, training programs, nutrition calculator, allergen accommodations, allergen kits, and more.
Best Residential Dining Facility - Cactus Grill
Cactus Grill was awarded the Bronze for Best Residential Dining Facility by the National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS). This all-you-care-to-eat location offers an extensive salad & soup bar, carving station, rotating international fare, and action stations including Asian, grill, & omelet stations. This open and airy concept also features a local artist's hand painted murals.
2022 Awards
Best Retail Concept - Arizona Market
Recognizing our fresh approach to a campus market, NACUFS awarded us a bronze award for our efforts. This concept features a house made hot & cold bar, fresh pastries, and a variety of grab & go options for busy students. With an Arizona flair, this concept features a vintage photo of Old Main from the late 1890s and map students created in 1903. It also features copper a turquoise centered logo, copper accents with metal cactus, Wildcat logo, and an actual penny wall.
Residential Dining Special Event - '85 North
Our Dining team at ’85 North was awarded the Bronze for best Residential Dining Special Event from the National Association of College & University Food Services (NACUFS) for a 12-week event featuring international cuisine called “Around the World in ’85 Days”. Surveyed students requested foods including Thai, Italian, Vietnamese, and Mexican cuisines. Each week we featured a different international cuisine complete with décor and music.
2021 Awards
Outstanding Dietitian of the Year - Christine Carlson MS, RD, CDCES, FAND
Christine Carlson, is the University of Arizona Director for Dining & Nutrition. She oversees all dining services on campus and nutrition programming for the Student Unions.
2020 Awards
Best Overall Food Allergy Program For Universities
AllerTrain by Menutrinfo recognized the Arizona Dining team for Best Overall Food Allergy Program in the nation for efforts including outreach, training, accommodation, and practices to reduce the risk of cross contact.
Residential Dining Facility - '85 North
’85 North was recognized with the Bronze for Best Residential Dining Facility from NACUFS. Located in Honors Village, ’85 North features an extensive salad bar, and unique veg-centric, international, omelet, pizza, and carving stations.
2019 Awards
Ranked #5 in the Nation for Best Dining Halls for People with Allergies
Best Colleges ranked the University of Arizona #5 Best Dining Halls for People with Allergies for assisting students with dietary requests and nutrition efforts.
2018 Awards
Most Innovative Wellness & Nutrition Program - Planted
We received the gold for the plant-based cooking series lead by our Senior Executive Chef and Registered Dietitian from NACUFS. This plant education series (plantEd) offered students an opportunity to grow their culinary roots with a nutrition foundation and included tastings of all items prepared.
Healthier Future Award
The University of Arizona was awarded the Healthier Future Award by the Partnership for Healthier America. We participated in the Healthier Campus Coalition and completed all 23 competencies (including ensuring there is a plant-based option wherever there is a meat -based option and there are 5 fruits, 5 vegetables & 2 whole grains at each meal period) one full year ahead of schedule.
2017 Awards
Best Retail Concept - Nrich Urban Market
Arizona Dining was awarded the Silver for Best Retail Concept for Nrich Urban Market by NACUFS. Nrich (meaning Nutrient Rich) is a healthier concept featuring freshly pressed juices, fresh ground nut butters, and a variety of grab & go options to help with dietary requests. All options are approved by our Registered Dietitian.
2015 Awards
Food Allergen Research & Education Pilot
The University of Arizona was chosen as one of 12 universities in the nation to participate in the FARE Pilot. This allowed our university to create best practices to be shared. It also allowed our Registered Dietitian to become a Master Trainer for Food Allergies & Celiac so Dining staff could be trained on dietary request procedures.