Building community through dining at SUNY campuses

One shared mission: student success

For nearly four decades, Sodexo has partnered with SUNY campuses to elevate the student experience. Food is a top driver of student engagement, and campus dining is a powerful opportunity to create shared experiences that foster a sense of belonging and propel students to flourish.

 

From fostering innovation in campus kitchens to helping students build lifelong connections, we’re proud of the stories that show how dining can shape a thriving campus culture.

 

Whether you’re celebrating a long-standing partnership or exploring new possibilities, discover how Sodexo continues to drive meaningful impact — on campus and beyond.

  • A SUNY New Paltz dining team member smiles while cooking in the campus dining kitchen.

    Storm-Tested Teams, Student-Focused Mission

    Sodexo’s dining teams braved record-setting snowstorms and frigid temperatures to keep SUNY students warm, well-fed and smiling — proving that care and community endure, no matter the weather.
  • Chef Efrén Hernández with SUNY chefs presenting plated dishes in a campus kitchen.

    Award-Winning Chefs Elevate SUNY Dining

    Sodexo and the James Beard Foundation bring award-winning chefs to SUNY campuses, introducing bold global flavors and creating shared dining moments that energize student life.
  • College student in professional attire handing a resume to a recruiter at a campus career fair.

    Strengthening SUNY Oneonta’s Community Impact

    SUNY Oneonta and Sodexo are building stronger town‑and‑gown connections through community engagement and hands‑on internships that prepare students for meaningful careers.
  • The Binghamton University dining team poses with their trophy at the 2026 SASA Conference Battle of the Chefs.

    Celebrating the Best of Culinary Creativity

    Sodexo chefs and dining teams shine at the SASA Conference, showcasing culinary talent, innovation and partnerships that elevate campus dining experiences.

Discover more stories

  • Creating Opportunities for Authentic Connection

    Sodexo is transforming campus dining into spaces for authentic connection, empowering students through shared meals, engagement efforts and opportunities to lead. 
    Hobart and William Smith Colleges students at their first-ever Community Table dinner event.
  • Culinary Experiences That Spark Connection

    Students at Binghamton University gathered for a fun, interactive cooking showdown, the culmination of a unique externship program bringing experiential learning to life.
    Culinary competitors smiling together with the Binghamton dining team.
  • Global Internships Foster Growth and Exploration

    UAlbany and SUNY Oneonta students recently embarked on an international journey to gain invaluable real-world experience through Sodexo’s Global Internship Program.
    Group of interns gathered closely around a table, engaged in a lively discussion.
  • From Campus Kitchens to Community Impact

    Sodexo is going beyond the dining hall to strengthen New York communities through impactful events and student-led initiatives — building connection and shared success.
    Sodexo employees posing together at the Dick’s Open Draw Party event.
  • New Retail Dining Concepts Coming to Campuses

    Three new fast-casual dining concepts provide fresh flavors, exciting experiences and comforting foods designed for Gen Z’s appetite for authenticity and bold flavor.
    Snapshots of three dining concepts: Mediterra, Dilli Haat and Prime Time Pattys.
  • Prioritizing Sustainability at SUNY Campuses

    Through student engagement and smart practices, SUNY and Sodexo are redefining sustainability — creating lasting impact both on campus and in the broader community.
    Two friends sit on a checkered blanket in a park, sharing a meal from reusable containers and smiling as they chat.

In the spotlight… 

From high-impact retail launches to student-powered sustainability efforts, these snapshots highlight the creativity, collaboration and results energizing SUNY campuses. 

See how SUNY campuses are thriving.

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  • Mediterra: Fresh New Flavors at SUNY New Paltz

    Mediterra is a perfect match for campus life at SUNY New Paltz! Sodexo’s latest retail concept blends the crowd-pleasing flavors of Mediterranean cuisine with the freedom of build-your-own bowls and pitas. With fresh ingredients and bold sauces, New Paltz students can create something that feels totally theirs. Since opening day, the concept has been buzzing — giving students a welcoming spot to share plates with friends, or a quick, convenient way to grab healthy, global bites. 
    Mediterra station at SUNY New Paltz dining hall, with staff preparing meals behind the counter and digital menu boards displayed overhead.
  • Innovative Partnerships That Fuel Future Success

    To support SUNY Plattsburgh’s mission of providing career-relevant experiences that strengthen student belonging and academic success, Sodexo partnered with Saxbys Coffee to launch a new, student-led, experiential café on campus. This innovative approach to college dining helps students build confidence and real-world leadership skills through paid roles where they can manage teams, oversee supply chains, and make financial decisions while engaging with their campus community.
    Burghy, the mascot of SUNY Plattsburgh, standing in front of the campus sign holding a cup of Saxbys coffee.
  • Turning Campus Surplus into Community Support

    At Binghamton University, a revitalized partnership between the Food Recovery Network, University Dining Services, and Sodexo is turning surplus food into meaningful community impact. Student volunteers recover and donate thousands of pounds of meals each year to the campus food pantry and local organizations, helping fight food insecurity while reducing waste. With growing engagement and new partnerships, the program highlights the impact of student-led sustainability and community care. 
    Students in Binghamton University’s Food Recovery Network prepare meals for donation in a campus kitchen.
  • Serving Up a Flavor Festival for All Diets 

    SUNY New Paltz students are raving about Choolaah, the new Indian food station that’s spicing up campus dining with a festival of flavors and choices for everyone. With plenty of customizable vegan, vegetarian, meat, and gluten-free options, Choolaah’s launch in the Peregrine Dining Hall stirred up excitement and is making every student’s taste buds — and dietary needs — feel right at home.
    Choolah, the Indian food station inside Peregrine Dining Hall at SUNY New Paltz.
  • Planting the Seeds of Sustainable Food Production

    To highlight sustainable practices on campus, Binghamton University students formed an innovative partnership with staff to introduce indoor hydroponic tower gardens to their dining hall. Maintained by the BU Gardening Club and grown from seeds donated by the university’s seed library, the towers supply nutrient-rich produce to the dining hall and campus food pantry. Most importantly, they’re a highly visible testament to the power of on-campus collaboration, ingenuity, and sustainability.
    Hydroponic towers growing leafy greens inside the College-in-the-Woods Dining Hall at Binghamton University.
  • Supercharged Sales Growth at UAlbany

    At the University at Albany, Fountain Grill was a station in desperate need of a refresh, and Yella’s was just what students were looking for. A brand with “food worth screaming about,” traffic skyrocketed 94.4% and items purchased grew by 70%. In just three weeks, Yella’s revenue jumped 128.3% YOY and is on pace to surpass last year’s sales record before Thanksgiving. Overall, branded innovation has driven a 285% revenue boost at UAlbany.
    An assortment of Yella sandwiches, chips and waffle fries arranged on branded paper.
  • Nourishing Minds at Binghamton

    Binghamton University's dietitians are championing student mental health. Registered Dietitians Julie Lee and Alexa Schmidt provide free, confidential support for students facing dining anxiety, sensory issues, and food allergies. They offer innovative solutions, like dining hall tours and special food pickups, to help students feel safe and supported. This initiative transforms mealtimes into an empowering experience for students.
    Two Binghamton dietitians smiling and holding up drinks at a campus event.
  • Mills Hall Renovation Satisfies Cravings

    SUNY Oneonta's Mills Hall has a delicious upgrade designed to save students time and make their day easier. The newly renovated Marketplace is a one-stop shop for student cravings, offering quick access to groceries and favorite foods. The new space features "Yella's" for subs, burgers, and milkshakes, as well as a full sushi concept with fresh rolls and poke bowls.
    Two Oneonta students shopping in Mills Marketplace, a campus convenience store.

Understand today’s students

Download the free 2024-2025 Student Lifestyle Survey, which examines current perceptions regarding higher education and highlights opportunities to meet students’ evolving needs.

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Elevate your campus experience today