By Taylor Williams, with Matt Bertram
Hey there, Tar Heels!
I’m Taylor Williams, and I’m the Guest Experience Director at Carolina Dining Services, also known as CDS. First of all, welcome to Carolina! As you start this exciting new chapter, I want to make sure you know that we’re here to support you in one of the most essential parts of college life: food. We’re more than just a dining program. We’re a community that cares about your well-being, from what’s on your plate to how you feel while you’re here. Whether you’re a die-hard foodie or just someone trying to power through early morning classes, we’ve got something for you.
Meal Plans, Menus, and Making It Work for You
If you’re living in a residence hall as a first-year student, you’ll want to sign up for a meal plan that gives you easy access to dining across campus. Most first-years opt for the All Access Plan, which gives you unlimited entry to our two main dining halls: Chase Dining Hall on South Campus and Top of Lenoir right next to the Student Union. If you’re looking for something a bit more structured, we also offer block plans like the Block 200 or Block 100, which come with a set number of dining hall swipes for the semester. At every meal, you’ll find a rotating selection of fresh options, from made-to-order stations and salad bars to comfort food classics and global dishes. We take dietary needs seriously and offer plenty of options for students who are vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or Halal. If you have specific concerns or food allergies, you can even meet with our in-house registered dietitian, who can help you understand the menus and build a plan that works for you.
Flexibility and Convenience Wherever You Are on Campus
Alongside your meal swipes, our plans come with Flex and Plus Swipes to help you dine beyond the traditional dining halls. Flex is basically campus dining currency. It’s accepted at a wide range of spots like Bojangles, Mediterranean Deli, Blue Ram, and Rams Head Market. It’s perfect for coffee runs, snacks between classes, or those moments when you just want something different. Plus Swipes can be used at select retail locations for combo meals, giving you even more flexibility. And here’s a pro tip: Flex dollars roll over each semester until you graduate, so you’ll never lose them. We also make it easy to order ahead with the Transact Mobile app, which lets you skip the line and grab your meal on your schedule. It’s one of the best ways to simplify busy days without compromising on quality or taste.
More Than Meals: Community, Sustainability, and Events
At CDS, we’re committed not just to feeding you well but also to supporting a more sustainable and connected campus. Many of our ingredients are locally sourced, and we compost all of our food waste in the dining halls. We’re always looking for ways to reduce our environmental impact while keeping things fresh and delicious. Beyond the plate, we bring campus to life with fun events throughout the year. From Late Night Breakfast during finals to First Year Favs, Ramsgiving, chef takeovers, and even campus carnivals, there’s always something happening. And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram at @CDS_UNC. We run giveaways all the time, and prizes have included everything from electric scooters to UNC vs. Duke basketball tickets.
No matter how you like to eat, Carolina Dining Services is here to help you settle in, feel at home, and stay nourished, both physically and emotionally, throughout your college journey. We’re so excited to welcome you to campus, and we can’t wait for you to experience everything we have to offer. Welcome to UNC. We’re glad you’re here!