Sustainability Awards

Awarded to operations with the best sustainable procurement programs. This includes, but is not limited to, programs with an emphasis on buying local, animal welfare, sustainable seafood, carbon footprint, and social equity.

The 2026 Sustainable Procurement winners are:
 

Gold: 

Boston University

Silver:

Elon University

Bronze:

Johnson & Wales University - Providence

University of North Carolina Wilmington

Awarded to operations who place high importance on their impact on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and social justice. Elements of the programs who win this award could include training programs for DEI for staff, supplier expectations and purchasing policies, tracking of business types purchased from, and education and outreach to guests and staff.

The 2026 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion/Social Justice winners are:
 

Gold:

Simon Fraser University

Silver: 

University of Vermont

Bronze:

University of California, Merced

Awarded to operations with the best waste reduction plans, for both front- and back-of-house, and in regard to suppliers and procurement. Programs who win this award will place an emphasis on reducing single use disposables, recycling and composting, diverting waste, collecting data on waste production, and educating consumers on the importance of reducing all waste, including food and other dining related items.

The 2026 Waste Reduction winners are:
 

Grand Prize: 

Harding University

Gold: 

Harding University

University of Pittsburgh

Silver:

Harvard University

Bronze:

University of Tennessee

Awarded to operations who place a high value on reducing their carbon footprint and working toward carbon neutrality. Programs who win this award will emphasize purchasing policies that avoid deforestation and favor regenerative agriculture, educating customers on how to reduce the carbon load of their meals, and integrating their efforts with campus-wide climate action programs.

The 2026 Carbon Neutrality winners are:
 

Gold: 

University of Montana

Silver:

Pomona College

Bronze:

New York University