Sodexo Honored by the National Association for Colleges & University Food Services for Culinary Excellence and Outstanding Dining Programs in Innovation, Sustainability, Wellness, and Catering
BETHESDA, MD., (July 7, 2025) – Sodexo, a global leader in college and university foodservice, proudly announces five award recognitions as part of the National Association for College & University Food Services (NACUFS) 2025 Loyal E. Horton Dining, Nutrition, and Sustainability Awards. Sodexo teams at varying campuses across the country have received distinctions including Catering Program of the Year, Innovative Dining Program of the Year, Wellness and Nutrition Program of the Year, and an award for sustainable food procurement. Additionally, two Sodexo Campus chefs, Juan Guevara and Damon McAfee, have been recognized as the National Association for College & University Food Services Culinary Challenge Winners in their respected geographic region.
“These awards from the National Association for College & University Food Services underscore Sodexo’s unwavering commitment to advancing campus dining excellence — from innovation and sustainability to nutrition, wellness, and more,” said Michael Svagdis, CEO, Sodexo Campus. “We celebrate these achievements and these chefs alongside our campus partners, whom we’re proud to serve.”
Sodexo’s 5 awards include:
- Wellness and Nutrition Program of the Year (Gold Winner), Washington University in St. Louis
- Innovative Dining Program of the Year (Silver Winner), Jones College
- Catering Program of the Year (Silver Winner), Texas Christian University
- Catering Program of the Year (Silver Winner), University of Tulsa
- Sustainable Procurement Award (Gold Winner), University of Vermont
Sodexo chef’s recognized as Culinary Challenge winners:
- Juan Guevara, Texas Christian University
- Damon McAfee, Oral Roberts University
“Campus dining professionals often work behind the scenes, yet their impact is profound,” said NACUFS President and CEO Robert Nelson. “Through these award submissions, we see how food becomes a force for education, well-being, progress and community. From culturally enriching programs to human-centered design and pioneering approaches to nutrition, these initiatives reflect the power of dining to shape the student experience. We’re proud to recognize and share the inspiring work of teams who go above and beyond in service to their campus communities.”
The National Association for College & University Food Services’ 2025 Loyal E. Horton Dining, Nutrition, and Sustainability Awards are presented annually and set the standard for excellence in campus dining. Sodexo will be honored with these awards and recognized for its contributions to the industry during the NACUFS 2025 National Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.
About NACUFS
The National Association of College & University Food Services (NACUFS) was founded in 1958 by a group of college and university foodservice professionals from across the United States. Since its inception, NACUFS has focused on its mission to support and promote excellence in collegiate dining by providing members with the programs and resources they need to excel, from benchmarking and best practices to educational programming and professional networking.
About Sodexo North America
Sodexo North America is a division of Sodexo Group, a global Fortune 500 company operating in 45 countries and a leading provider of sustainable food and integrated facilities management in all 50 U.S. states, Canada, Puerto Rico and Guam, at every moment in life: learn, work, heal and play. Across the U.S., the company employs over 100,000 people and indirectly supports tens of thousands of additional jobs by annually purchasing goods and services from a wide range of small to large businesses. Sodexo North America is committed to meeting the challenges of everyday life with a dual goal: to improve the quality of life of our employees and those we serve, and to contribute to the economic, social and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone to build a better life for all.