Welcome to RESIDENTIAL DINING at the University of Massachusetts. Our goal is to provide you with the best dining experience on campus.  At UMass all meal plans are Block Plans, which offer a specific number of meals for the whole semester with no weekly limit. We have put together a showcase of food choices to rival your favorite restaurants. We guarantee you'll be surprised and delighted by the choices!

We offer a world of choices:

  • Continuous dining
  • 4 major dining halls plus Kosher Kitchen and Athletic Dining Room
  • Grab-n-Go Program
  • Guest meal passes included in your meal plan for friends or parents
  • Meal Exchanges (flex meal) at 6 retail eateries
  • Nationally known brands, such as Nathan Hot Dogs, Rich's Pizza and Hormel meats served daily
  • Freshly prepared salad bar with 40 items
  • Just-in-time cooking and entrees prepared to order
  • Daily vegetarian entrees and side dishes - Le Commensal
  • Freshly baked dessert and breads from our own bakeshop
  • Major theme specials such as Taste of UMass and Jimmy Buffet Night

What's more, every meal served in the dining hall is "all you can eat"!

Meal Plan Options

All freshmen and sophomores living in the residence halls must purchase one of the three residential meal plans.

Deluxe Meal plan  $1174 per semester

Offers unlimited access to any dining hall with 7 meal exchanges (flex meals) and 6 guest meals.

Best value for the more frequent users. It is an excellent choice for students accustomed to eating 3 meals or more daily. All residents of Butterfield are required to purchase the Deluxe Plan. Butterfield residents can only eat in Butterfield and cannot eat at other locations on campus with this meal plan.

Value Meal plan         $1076 per semester

It offers 224 meals for the entire semester (an average of 14 meals per week) and includes 5 meal exchanges (flex meals) and 6 guest meals. Ideal for the moderate eater or if you're absent from campus on an occasional weekend.

Basic Meal Plan         $950 per semester

Offers 160 meals for the semester (an average of 10 meals per week) and includes 3 meal exchanges (flex meals) and 6 guest meals. Tailored for the light eater or the student who regularly travels on weekends.

Kosher Option           $95 additional charge to any meal plan

Now available at the Hillel House. Great for students who observe the Jewish dietary laws and wish to dine in a private facility

Exchange
(Flex Meals)
and how it works

Residential meal plan participants may use their assigned meal exchanges (cash value of $5.50) at the retail food outlets listed below. If their selections total more than $5.50, they must pay the balance with either cash or a UMass Debit Card. Retail food outlets that honor the meal exchange are: Blue Wall, Hatch Food Court, Starbucks Coffee Cart, The Coffee Shop, Whitmore and Hampden Snack Bars.

How do I choose a meal plan?

On your Bursar bill you'll be asked to select a meal plan.

Which meal plan is best for me?

* Consider your eating habits

  • If you tend to eat 3 meals/day - consider the Deluxe Meal Plan
  • If you tend to eat 2 meals/day - consider the Value Meal Plan
  • If you tend to eat 10 meals per week - consider the Basic Meal Plan

* Consider your life style

If you are on campus for most weekends - consider the Deluxe Meal Plan

If you are away from campus on occasional weekends - consider the Value Meal Plan

If you travel away on most weekends- consider the Basic Meal Plan

* Contact our Food Service office at 413/545-2472

Special Resident Dining Programs

* Premium Nights

Featuring steak, chicken, seafood and top vegetarian selections.

* Grab-n-Go Concepts

Pick up your favorite sandwiches, salads, snacks and beverages during lunch hours to eat on the run.  Locations are at Worcester C-Store and Hampshire Dining Hall.

* Vegetarian Eatery

Every meal at Basics features 2 meatless entrees.

* Stir Crazy

Cook your own Asian food with an array of vegetables and meats.

* Major Theme Specials

Taste of UMass, Welcome Cookout, Jimmy Buffet Night, Guest Chef's series, just to name a few.

* Surprise Someone With A "We Care Package"

Birthday cakes, fresh-cut flowers, survival kits, fruit baskets, we've got them all. Visit our website under "special occasions".

* Registered Dietitian on Staff

Offers nutrition education and counseling to assist you with special dietary needs.

Email: dietitian@mail.aux.umass.edu

* Catering Services

Our catering department creates no frill menus at reasonable prices for students. For more information, contact Tracey Poole, Catering Coordinator at (413) 549-6000 ex. 7710.

Quality Suppliers and National Brands

Minutemaid, Tyson, Heinz, Star-Kist, Campbell, McCormick, Hormel, Le Commensal, Nestle, Zeppy Bagels, McCain, Hellman, Caines, and Hunt-Wesson are some of our suppliers.

How to contact us:

Meal Plan Office..........................................(413) 545-1362
Administration Offices, Food Service......(413) 545-2472
Fax...............................................................(413) 545-9673

Email: food@mail.aux.umass.edu

Or use our contact form to send us your questions & feedback

Employment Opportunities

Food Services employs over 1000 students during the school year. Servers, production, dishroom, and office areas offer flexible hours and competitive wages. Stop by any of the dining halls and talk to the manager.


FOOD SERVICES
  • Dining Commons
  • Campus Center Food Services
  • Snack Bars & C-Stores
  • University Club
  • University Catering
  • Concessions

UMass Food Services is a proud member of National Association College and Universities Food Services (NACUFS) and Canadian College and University Food Service Association (CCUFSA) 

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