Contact Information
aramark@temple.edu
Temple.campusdish.com/
Choose Less Stress
Our dining program was created with you in mind! Temple Culinary Services provides a range of delicious and healthy options with meal plans that nourish your campus experience.
New:
Temple Culinary Services is excited to announce the following enhancements:
- We’ve added a brand to our already-robust retail lineup, Panera Bread® at Pearson & McGonigle Halls. The location will be open Monday through Saturday for all meal periods and will accept meal equivalency.
- We’ve expanded our GrubHub mobile ordering network to include GrubHub Ultimate self-order kiosks at the Howard Gittis Student Center Food Court and at Panera Bread® at Pearson & McGonigle Halls.
Special Diets
Temple Culinary Services provides an array of food options to accommodate a variety of lifestyles, dietary needs, and restrictions – including vegan/vegetarian, gluten-free, and kosher. Students seeking special dietary accommodations and/or nutritional advice are encouraged to reach out to our on-site dietitian, Amye Kosinski, at kosinski-amye@aramark.com to schedule a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a meal plan?
A meal plan unlocks delicious meals, coffee, snacks, and more at Temple Culinary Services locations across main campus. Each meal plan includes meal swipes and Diamond Dollars (except for the Unlimited meal plan). There is also no need to carry additional cards or cash, as one’s meal plan comes conveniently preloaded onto one’s OWLcard or mobile wallet.
- Weekly meal plans provide a weekly allowance of meal swipes, resetting every Sunday at 12:01 a.m.
- Block meal plans provide a bundle of meal swipes, which expire at the end of the semester
Who is required to purchase a meal plan?
- New students (first-year and transfer) with housing contracts on main campus are required to purchase a weekly meal plan with a minimum of 10 meals per week. If no meal plan is chosen, the Weekly 12 will be assigned by default for both the fall and spring semesters.
- Returning and off-campus students are not required to purchase a meal plan but are encouraged to do so as a means of enriching their campus experience. Although we created the Weekly 5 and block meal plans with these groups in mind, any meal plan offered would be the perfect complement to the commuter experience.
How do I choose a meal plan?
Personal eating habits, class schedule, and leisure activities should all be considered when choosing a meal plan. If you are accustomed to eating three full meals a day, or prefer to eat small meals throughout the day, our Unlimited plan may be for you. If you tend to skip breakfast, eating only two meals a day, a meal plan with less meal swipes will be a better choice.
What is a meal swipe?
Meal swipes are meals included in your meal plan, which can be used two ways:
- to enjoy all-you-care-to-eat dining at Esposito Dining Center
- as meal equivalency, a credit toward the purchase of à la carte food items at select retail locations (excluding coffee and convenience outlets)
How much is a meal swipe worth when used as meal equivalency?
When used as meal equivalency, the value of a meal varies by meal period:
- During breakfast (from open until 10:59 a.m.): $7.05
- During lunch and dinner (from 11:00 a.m. until close): $9.75
In both cases, you would then use Diamond Dollars, credit, or cash to cover the cost of any remaining balance.
How often can I use a meal swipe?
You can use your meal swipes as often as you’d like, in both all-you-care-to-eat and retail locations (excluding coffee and convenience outlets), until the limit included in your meal plan is met.
When does my weekly meal swipe balance reset? How can I check my balance?
Your weekly meal swipe balance resets each Sunday at 12:01 a.m.. You can verify your balance on the TUportal (via the Diamond Dollars link), TUmobile app, or Transact eAccounts app.
Am I allowed to treat friends or family to a meal using my meal plan?
Although your meal swipes are just for you, you’re welcome to treat friends and family to a meal using Diamond Dollars.
What are Diamond Dollars?
Diamond Dollars are funds included in select meal plans (excluding the Unlimited meal plan), which eliminate the need to carry cash, checks, or credit cards. They make it easy for Temple students to make purchases at Temple Culinary Services locations, across campus, and at select campus partners. They spend dollar-for-dollar, just like a debit card, and the funds remain available as long as you are affiliated with the University and in good standing. For a more information on Diamond Dollars, visit the Dining Dollar FAQ on Temple's Gateway to Finance. Those with additional questions are encouraged to reach out to ddollars@temple.edu.
How do I purchase a meal plan?
To purchase a meal plan, log into MyHousing through the TUportal. All meal plans must be paid for via tuition billing.
Can I change my meal plan?
You have until the meal plan changes deadline each semester to modify your meal plan selection. To do so, visit MyHousing within the TUportal.
- September 12, 2023 (Fall)
- January 22, 2024 (Spring)
Does my meal plan selection carry over from fall to spring?
- Students required to purchase a meal plan will make both their fall and spring meal plan selections in summer, prior to the fall/spring meal plan selection deadline. They are then able to make changes to their selection prior to the meal plan changes deadline each semester.
- Students not required to purchase a meal plan are able to sign up for a meal plan at any time. We encourage students to make their selection as early as possible, as we are not able to prorate meal plan pricing for those purchased after the start of the semester.
How do I cancel my meal plan?
Students may apply for a release from the Dining Services Agreement with supporting documentation stating the reason for their release request. Releases are only considered for medical and/or religious reasons. Requests are reviewed and decided by the University on a case-by-case basis. If a student’s request for release is denied, they will remain responsible for all fees associated with their meal plan, whether used or not.
- To apply for a release, log into MyHousing via TUportal.
- For questions about meal plan cancellations, please contact Ms. Trina Slaffey at tslaffey@temple.edu or visit University Housing and Residential Life during normal business hours, from Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.. The team can also be reached via phone at (215) 204-7184 (Option #2).
Questions?
Visit our website at temple.campusdish.com or email us at aramark@temple.edu.
Social Media
Facebook: TempleDining
Twitter, Instagram & TikTok: @TempleDining
2023-2024 Meal Plan Pricing
Meal Plan | Meal Swipes | Diamond Dollars per Semester | Price per Semester |
Unlimited | Residential: Unlimited Retail: Up to 21 per week | - | $2,485 |
Weekly 15 | Residential and/or Retail: Up to 15 per week | 50 | $2,338 |
Weekly 12 | Residential and/or Retail: Up to 12 per week | 50 | $2,132 |
Weekly 10 | Residential and/or Retail: Up to 10 per week | 50 | $1,822 |
Weekly 5* | Residential and/or Retail: Up to 5 per week | 50 | $944 |
Block 100* | Residential and/or Retail: Up to 100 per semester | 50 | $1,130 |
Block 50* | Residential and/or Retail: Up to 50 per semester | 50 | $596 |
Does all the cafeteria have gluten-free options