10 Vegan Cafeterias That Are Setting a New Standard

From freshman fifteen to late-night study sessions, college is a Mecca of poor food choices, overindulging, and eating at all hours of the day. I recently volunteered for the computer department at my alma mater for the freshman computer handout. We were stationed at the lower level of the cafeteria. I was curious, have vegan food options progressed in over five years to accommodate the multitude of dietary scenarios? While there were a few options, such as a gluten-free station and granary, which offered one vegan dish and vegetables, comparatively, there were still slim pickings.

1. University of North Texas

We will now teleport over to the state of Texas, known for big hair, big cowboy hats, and big meat eaters. Yet, one university has set a standard that many should surely follow. The University of North Texas introduced an all-vegan cafeteria, Mean Greens Cafeteria. Finally, here is a school that listened to the numerous requests of all to have more vegan and vegetarian options. The dining services of the university realized with five dining halls that, they had the option to diversify.

“We feature a mix of over 20 different entrees and sides daily along with a Vegan sushi bar, Panini Station, Pizza/Pasta station, Fresh grilled veggies, Rotisserie Corn, and an assortment of Vegan Desserts,” said Ken Botts, Special Projects Manager of Dining Services. “What we have done by design is create menu options that focus on fresh whole ingredients that contain plenty of; plant protein, calcium, vitamin d, iron, and vitamin b-12. You will find that a meal at Mean Greens is more nutritionally complete than the typical burger, fries, and a soda type of meal.”

The changes at UNT are a true reflection of a national movement and advocacy to offer healthier foods in cafeterias. The collective feedback through their UNT Dining Services Facebook page, monthly student-run food advisory committee, and student secret shoppers supported the creation of the new dining hall. “Just want to say that I have enjoyed the new Mean Greens. I have been a (Lacto-Ovo) vegetarian since 2002 and really enjoy the exclusively vegan selection at Mean Greens. I typically eat lunch at Mean Greens several times per week and really look forward to the all-vegan fare,” said Alyssa Ferrer, a student.

Sustainability practices, including recycling, are extended throughout the dining experience. Sourcing local foods, and having a tray-less cafeteria, which cuts down on pre and post-consumer waste by 40%. They have cut daily deliveries from 18 trucks every other day to one. According to the university, the ingredients are more costly, but because of the increase in business from off-campus visitors and increased sales of meal plans, it balances out. There is also less food waste as a result of tray-less dining because diners only take what they can eat, which results in additional savings.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 12.5 million children and teens are obese. The food lessons learned in conventional cafeterias transition over to the university level. UNT is creating a new custom that more universities and educational institutions should follow. Here is a shining example that parents, faculty/staff, and students can use to petition their educational institutions to live in the realm of vegan food possibilities.

“The food is GREAT,” said Nicole Cocco, a UNT employee. “I couldn’t even tell, nor did I care that there was no animal anything in my lunch, and the apple cobbler was TO DIE FOR. (They) did an amazing job, and I still haven’t found another college or university that has gone that extra mile.”

2. University of Texas at Austin

The university understands that all students have varying dietary restrictions and preferences and have made dining on campus a stress-free experience by offering at least one vegan entree at every meal, dairy-free milk options, an all-vegan buffet style station, egg/mayo replacements, participates in meatless Mondays, labels all vegan products clearly, and even includes a vegan member on its student advisory board.

“As a vegan who has worked at different schools, eating Vegan at UT Austin is by far the best option I have witnessed. UT Austin does an amazing job of labeling every food item to see if it is vegetarian, vegan or other common food allergies. The dining hall has many fruit and vegetable options, with rotating vegan entrees,” says Cameron.

3. University of California, Irvine

The university offers vegan and vegetarian entrees which are available throughout residential dining and retail locations all across campus. Vegan options are offered at every meal and are included in the “grab and go” convenience products. Planteatery is a dining option on campus that features fresh produce to create your own salad or wraps. The school also has a Jamba Juice that offers a line of smoothies, Acai bowls and other health conscious snacks.

“Vegan options are great on Campus. They have a vegan station with desserts and also offer the beyond burger at the grill station with vegan cheese. They also have a vegan hacks board that changes. You also are able to get Soy Milk and Almond Milk in every beverage station. They also serve a vegan option at most station at either Brandywine or the Anteatery,” says Liz.

4. Canisius College

Featuring a new vegan food station in the main Economou Dining Hall, Canisius College is paving the way for vegan dining on campus. Open to students, staff and the public, vegan comfort and street foods such as Marinated Tofu, Kung Pao Tofu, and Vegetable Coconut Curry Salad, the school is pushing for more vegan, sustainable and fair trade alternatives.

“Canisius has been so receptive to students’ wishes for more vegan options and clearer labeling around campus. Last year they had a separate section in the prepared case for vegan and vegetarian options with everything clearly labeled. This year, they expanded to have a 100% vegan dining station at the dining hall WITH DESSERTS. Even non-vegan members of the student body eat there, which is a great way to show that eating more plant-based food is easily attainable when the school commits to having better accommodations,” says Kathryn L.

5. University of Colorado Boulder

The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to accommodating diets of all kinds, including vegan, vegetarian, kosher, halal, to name a few and is continuously making adjustments to their menus to provide the best dining experience possible for students and staff. The university also has a registered dietitian that is available on campus as well as online to help take the mystery out of healthy eating and address questions and concerns. They even feature a dietitian’s meal pick of the day in the Center for Community dining hall!

There are countless cafes and dining halls all across campus to choose from. From vegan breakfast burritos, breakfast bowls, fresh fruit and vegetable buffet style spreads, and vegetable sushi, you won’t have any trouble finding healthy and delicious vegan options to choose from. The school also received an A for PETA’s vegan report card, which is the highest of plant-based excellence for colleges!

6. University of California San Diego

The University of California San Diego offers is committed to creating a seamless and exciting dining experience for students and staff. They offer plenty of options for eating healthy and sustainably! The school has even been named one of the most vegan-friendly colleges! Non-dairy yogurt and toppings at yogurt world, sandwiches, salads, energy bars, snacks, drinks at the sunshine market, breakfast burrito bowls, and bean burritos at taco village and mediterranean falafel bowls are just a few of the delicious foods to choose from.

7. Cornell University

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