What's it like to have the best dining in the country?

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At most colleges, the biggest complaint from students is the food. Whether it is problems with freshness, consistency, or availability. Students often opt to microwave their meals or spend money off-campus. However, at UMass Amherst, on-campus dining is an integral part of the student experience. Mainly because UMass Dining has some of the country's best quality, service, and selection.

UMass Dining takes full advantage of the school’s location in Western Massachusetts by partnering with nearby farms to bring fresh and local ingredients to the table. A perfect example of this would be the chocolate milk found in every dining common, a personal favorite of mine. It stands so far above most other cartons of milk because it is sourced from Mapeline Farm in Hadley, only one town over from Amherst. The quality does not stop there either, since there is a large emphasis placed on the nutritional value of dining options. Everything that can be found in the dining halls is posted with an extensive nutritional label with information on common allergens included. Additionally, students are often treated to special meals from guest chefs or holiday meals such as the famous steak and lobster night every Halloween.

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One overlooked aspect of UMass Dining is its phenomenal service. Along with a wide selection of self-service options, UMass Dining Commons have spectacular made-to-order specialties. For breakfast, students can customize an omelet with various fillings and the healthier option of egg whites. Later in the day, the options only grow greater, with sushi, deli sandwiches, and stir-fry all being made to the specifications of students. Outside of the dining halls, one can also customize a burrito or poke bowl in Blue Wall, or a delicious quesadilla from Roots.

What might be the most important feature of UMass Dining is the freedom that it gives its students through so many different options. If a student does not have time to eat before class, they can pick up food quickly from Grab ’n’ Go. If they want a coffee while they study, they can go into one of the many cafes found in academic buildings and the library. If they are hungry for a late-night snack, they can head to Worcester or Berkshire Dining Commons until midnight. If they want food for their room, they can pick up microwavable goods and snacks from Harvest in the Campus Center. Overall, whatever type of life you want to live at UMass, the top-tier dining is there to support you.

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In my early days at UMass, I was concerned about being able to eat breakfast before an 8 a.m. class because I lived in the Commonwealth Honors College Residential Community, which is not particularly close to a dining hall. I was excited to find out that Roots Cafe, which was a minute away from my dorm, offered breakfast for a meal swipe. At Roots, I was able to have my go-to of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, a sausage egg and cheese sandwich, and a cup of iced coffee before class whenever I needed to. This, along with countless other dining accommodations, make UMass students some of the happiest, healthiest, and fullest in the country.