Our Commitment
Rooted in freshness, committed to community
UC Santa Cruz’s stunning location on the Monterey Bay offers more than breathtaking views—it’s also a gateway to some of California’s best seasonal, locally grown foods. UCSC Dining proudly sources fresh, regional ingredients and brings them to life through diverse, delicious menus in our dining halls and cafes.
But our work goes beyond what’s on the plate. At UCSC Dining, we’re committed to nourishing the whole campus community through sustainable practices, inclusive spaces, and a dedication to quality and care in everything we do.
Our mission
- Lead with sustainability, nutrition, and financial responsibility
- Serve high-quality food with exceptional service
- Cultivate a safe, welcoming, and inclusive dining experience
- Continuously innovate and improve our dining programs
Our commitment to sustainability
UCSC Dining is proud to lead with practices that support a healthier planet—and this commitment hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2025, the Princeton Review ranked UC Santa Cruz as the No. 6 green college in the nation, due in part to the sustainable initiatives championed by UCSC Dining. Our newly renovated Rachel Carson/Oakes Dining Hall, certified LEED Silver, stands as a testament to our dedication to building environmentally responsible spaces.
Through our composting partnership with ReGen Monterey, we divert over 600 tons of food scraps each year from the landfill—transforming waste into nutrient-rich compost that helps grow more food. Compostable paper products are used across all dining operations to further reduce our environmental footprint.
All UCSC Dining locations are certified Green Businesses by the City of Santa Cruz, recognizing our ongoing leadership in environmental stewardship. We also host zero waste events and conduct regular waste audits in the dining halls to help students understand their impact and reduce food waste.
As part of the Waste Free Santa Cruz Just Bring It campaign, UCSC Dining’s efforts alone helped divert 3,458 single-use to-go cups from the landfill—empowering our campus community to choose reusable options and reduce overall waste.
We remain committed to creating a truly sustainable dining experience through thoughtful action, innovative practices, and everyday choices that move us toward a greener future.
Our commitment to social responsibility
UCSC Dining is committed to supporting our campus and surrounding communities through programs that address food insecurity and promote equity and care. Each year, we host three meal plan donation drives that allow students to contribute directly to those in need.
In the fall, we partner with Second Harvest Food Bank as part of the UCSC Holiday Food & Fund Drive. One powerful result of this ongoing partnership was our Catering department’s ability to provide food support to the Pajaro community after catastrophic flooding in 2023.
During winter and spring, the Swipes for Slugs program—run in collaboration with the Dean of Students Office—helps students experiencing food insecurity by allowing their peers to donate meal plan points directly to them.
Visit the Swipes for Slugs website to learn more
Our commitment to health
At every meal, UCSC Dining prioritizes nourishing our campus with fresh, balanced, and nutritious food. Every dining hall features robust fruit and salad bars, and we offer a wide range of options to support students with dietary restrictions and allergen-aware choices—all clearly labeled online and in our dining locations.
To help students make informed choices, we provide online tools like the Nutrition Calculator embedded in our online menus and menu filters that make it easy to find meals that meet individual needs.
We’re also proud to support the UC Healthy Beverage Initiative by expanding access to free filtered tap water through campus refill stations and reducing the availability of sugar-sweetened beverages—promoting health and sustainability across campus.
