Technomic Report Explores College Dining

Forty-four percent of college students say that the dining program was at least somewhat important in the school choice, according to the most recent College & University Trend Report from the Technomic consulting organization. Meanwhile, only 32 percent say their school does a good job of making sure students are pleased with the overall dining program.

"Despite the fact that 62 percent of students surveyed say they eat at on-campus dining facilities at least weekly, only 28 percent of students are satisfied with the healthy offerings at their school, and only 34 percent express overall satisfaction with their school's dining facilities," says Sara Monnette, Technomic's director of consumer research. "Operators on and off campus could attract more students and increase the frequency of visits by refining their menus based on students' desires."

Other findings include...

• Customization is an increasingly critical issue for college diners: nearly half of students polled (47%) compared to just 43% of those polled in 2009 said it is important that they can omit or substitute ingredients in their food.

• 21 percent of students limit their consumption of meat by sticking to a vegetarian or vegan diet, eating only certain types of meat, or eating meat only occasionally.

• 48 percent of students strongly agree that they would like more on-campus dining facilities to stay open later at night.

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