Terminology

Dining is more than great food. It is a community experience centered on culinary expertise, fresh ingredients, healthy options, and a shared sense of environmental and social responsibility. Our team is committed to creating the best possible dining experience for everyone. We want to ensure you feel comfortable and confident navigating our dining spaces. Below are helpful explanations for common terms used through UVM Dining Locations, print documents and digital assets you will see across your campus experience.

One Block Meal equals an entry into one of our all-you-care-to-eat dining halls. Block Meals can be purchased from our shop page.

  • 30 Blocks: $302

  • 50 Blocks: $464

  • 75 Blocks: $674

  • 100 Blocks: $871

  • 125 Blocks: $1,067

  • 150 Blocks: $1,281

Unused block meals roll over from the fall to spring semester. Any unused Block Meals not used by May 8, 2026, expire and are non-transferable and non-refundable.

Our four all-you-care-to-eat dining halls are an immersive dining experience or you may take a meal to go using our Ecoware program. Accepts Meal Swipes, Blocks, Retail Points, credit/debit, and CAT$cratch (no cash). View more details about each at https://uvmdining.sodexomyway.site/en-us/categories/dining-halls

EcoWare, our reusable takeout container program, helps minimize the use of single-use containers and increases the flexibility of dining plans by allowing meals to-go from our dining halls. UVM has had an EcoWare program since 2011 and in Fall 2024, we partnered with ReusePass, a QR code app, to improve access to the program. Download today at app.reusepass.com/uvm.

Additional reusable options:

  • A spork is a reusable utensil with a spoon, knife, and fork component. Use your spork instead of disposable utensils and save! Show one of our cashiers upon checkout and receive a 5¢ discount.
  • We welcome refillable mugs up to 24 ounces in our UVM Dining retail locations only. Save 25¢ off the price of a large coffee when you use your own mug!

The UVM Dining app, Everyday allows you to order food and beverages for pickup at select retail dining locations from your phone or computer web browser. Use it to view menus and hours by location, customize dietary preferences, order ahead, and earn loyalty points. Click here to download it today!

Guest Meals are available to treat family or a friend to a meal in our all-you-care-to-eat dining halls. The number of Guest Meals per on-campus dining plan option varies, learn more here.

Local foods are those grown or manufactured in Vermont. Vermont First is our commitment to purchasing locally. We partner with Vermont stakeholders to grow farm-to-institution businesses and are recognized as a leader in this work. Learn more at vermontfirst.sodexomyway.com

We have a variety of meals plans to support students, staff and faculty.

View the details, cost and features of each at https://uvmdining.sodexomyway.com/en-us/navigate/dining-plan-options

Visit https://shop-uvmdining.sodexomyway.com/dining-plans to purchase a dining plan. Dining plans are accessed through your UVM CATcard. Plan holders must present their CATcard to the cashier at the time of purchase to use their plan.

One Meal Swipe allows one entry into our all-you-care-to-eat dining halls for dine-in or a meal to-go using EcoWare, our reusable take-out container program.

Meal Exchange is available for on-campus dining plan holders, allowing up to two Meal Swipes per week (Monday–Friday) at select retail locations where Meal Swipes aren't typically accepted.

  • Meal Exchanges are good for an entrée, side and a beverage.
  • Refer to signage inside each location to learn about what options are included.
  • These swipes can be used twice a week, Monday-Friday.
  • Meal Exchange Swipes reset every Monday and do not roll over week to week.

Use them at the following locations and times:

  • Green Roof Deli (Lunch, M-F & Dinner, M-Th)
  • The Marketplace (Breakfast & Lunch)
  • University Marché (Lunch & Dinner)
  • The Halal Shack from 5pm to close
  • Jamal's Chicken from 5pm to close
  • Coming soon: Choolah and Concessions

The UVM Dining app, Everyday allows you to order food and beverages for pickup at select retail dining locations from your phone or computer web browser. Use it to view menus and hours by location, customize dietary preferences, order ahead, and earn loyalty points. Click here to download it today!

Sodexo Plant Based Icon.pngPlant-based = no meat or animal by-products, but can include white sugar and honey.

Regional food means, food grown, raised or harvested within the six New England states plus, a 50-mile radius. Vermont First is our commitment to purchasing locally. We partner with Vermont stakeholders to grow farm-to-institution businesses and are recognized as a leader in this work. Learn more at vermontfirst.sodexomyway.com

We have over a dozen retail locations on campus with varying menus, hours and options available. Accepts Retail Points, credit/debit, CAT$cratch (The Marketplace & Given Bistro also accept cash). View more details about each at uvmdining.sodexomyway.site/en-us/categories/retail-dining

Each Retail Point Plan has the purchasing power of one dollar. Retail Points are accepted at all 12+ UVM dining retail locations. They are also accepted at our four dining halls, by paying the 2025/2026 door price:

  • Breakfast $7.93

  • Lunch/Brunch $10.66

  • Dinner $13.08

Add Retail Points: Retail Points can be added to your account any time by visiting our shop page.

Unused Retail Points: Any unused Retail Points that come with your On-Campus resident dining plan expire at the end of the academic year and are non-transferable and non-refundable. The balance of your Faculty and Staff, Off-Campus, and On-Campus (Resident) Additional Retail Points roll over semester to semester, year to year, as long as you are enrolled or employed at UVM. Upon leaving UVM, the unused Retail Points are non-transferable and non-refundable.

ReusePass is the app to check out EcoWare, our reusable containers. This program is now free to use for UVM students, staff, and faculty. Download today at app.reusepass.com/uvm. Learn more about the program on our sustainability page.

Vegan Vegan offerings contain no meat, fish, eggs, milk or other animal-derived products such as honey.

VegetarianMenu items with the vegetarian icon contain no meat, fish or poultry, or any meat products such as soup base. Our vegetarian offerings meet the needs of lacto-ovo vegetarians and may include eggs and/or dairy products.