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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
AllerTrain 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.
’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.
Best Colleges ranked the University of Arizona #5 Best Dining Halls for People with Allergies for assisting students with dietary requests and nutrition efforts.
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.
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.
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.
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.