Student Meal Plans

Student Meal Plans (2023 - 2024)
 

On-campus meal plans are mandatory for students living in traditional residences and optional for students living in East & West residences and East Village Townhouses. On-campus plans are accepted at all Hospitality Services locations and the Gryph N' Grille & Caffeine Canteen food trucks.

Students living in Residence (including East Residence, West Residence, and the East Village Townhouses) may change the size of their on-campus meal plan until Friday, September 29th, 2023.

Across campus, all food items are priced à la carte, just like at a restaurant. You only pay for what you choose to take.

For additional convenience and savings, Hospitality Services offers a textbook plan, which can be added to your U of G meal plan. Adding this textbook plan rewards you with bonus food dollars every time you purchase at the University Bookstore.

You will receive the whole portion of your textbook dollars at the beginning of September 2023.
 

Your UofG Student ID Card is your Meal Plan Card

Your campus card is your official University of Guelph identification card. You will retain this campus card (student ID card) for the duration of your studies at the University of Guelph.

The campus card confirms your affiliation with the University of Guelph and provides access to your Meal Plan. It is also linked to various academic and wellness services, including the library, athletics facilities, your residence building e-access, and the student bus pass.

Your campus card is your payment method for all dining purchases on and off-campus and shopping at the University Bookstore if you choose to add a textbook plan to your meal plan.

Without the additional textbook plan, you will need to use another form of payment, such as debit or credit. 

You cannot transfer a cash purchase to your meal plan, and you cannot obtain a cash refund from your meal plan.

NOTE: The University of Guelph is a cashless campus.
 

On-Campus Meal Plans

On-campus meal plans are composed of two plans, BASIC and FLEX dollars.

The BASIC PLAN is used for on-campus food purchases at all Hospitality Services dining locations.

The BASIC PLAN is eligible for discounts at on-campus dining locations only.  Franchises on-campus are excluded from Hospitality Services discounts.

These purchases are tax-exempt (HST).

The FLEX Plan is taxable (HST) for the following types of purchases and at these locations:

• Campus vending machines
• The Bullring and Brass Taps
• Eastside Café & Grocery ~ East Residence
• Convenience grocery items (frozen foods, boxes of cereal, granola bars, and health & beauty products)
• Dining at our off-campus restaurant partners
• Delivery orders at our off-campus restaurant partners
• Red Top Taxi service

Note: Alcohol cannot be purchased on any meal plan, either on or off-campus.

Tipping using your BASIC Plan is permitted on-campus at Gryphs Restaurant, up to 15%. You may also tip at our off-campus restaurants and Red Top Taxi using your FLEX Plan, up to 15%.
 

Meal Plan Sizes

We offer five sizes of on-campus meal plans to suit every need, and the cost covers BOTH the Fall and Winter semesters.

Students receive half of their food dollars at the beginning of September and the other half in mid-December.

If you add the textbook option, you will receive the whole portion of your textbook dollars at the beginning of September 2023. 

Note: Once you select your on-campus meal plans, you enter into a contract with the University of Guelph. Therefore, it is essential to review all the meal plan information carefully. The student and Hospitality Services will be held accountable for the terms and conditions outlined within the agreement.

The amount of time you spend on campus and the types of foods you regularly consume are essential criteria in choosing the right sized plan. 

The below meal plans are general guidelines for appetites and may not apply to all students:

• Minimum: Sufficient for students not on-campus most weekends and those with lighter appetites
• Light: Suitable for students occasionally on-campus on weekends and those with lighter appetites
• Full: This is our most popular plan. It is designed for students who are on-campus on alternate weekends & those with average appetites.
• Plus: Appropriate for students on-campus alternate weekends and those with larger appetites
• Varsity: Designed for students on-campus most weekends, athletes, and those with larger appetites

Note: Payments are made in two (2) installments.

The price of meal plans includes a $140 capital fund component (per semester) approved by the University of Guelph for improvements to the dining hall and is deducted from your meal plan. A fixed overhead cost for operating the dining facilities, including heat, hydro, and rent, is also deducted. When you spend your basic food dollars on-campus, you contribute directly to the fixed overhead cost of maintaining our award-winning student eateries. Your food purchases are discounted at the point of sale by twenty-five percent, and these purchases are also tax-exempt (HST).
If you run out of food dollars, you can add money to your meal plan. Please note that a fixed overhead cost will apply to any added funds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)