Dining Operations Q&A

Below are some answers to frequently asked questions. If you have any immediate questions or urgent needs, please reach out directly to cas@geneseo.edu.

What dining options are available?

Pay-One-Price Dining Locations:	Retail Locations
Letchworth (North Campus) Mary Jemison (Central Campus) Red Jacket (South Campus)	Market North (Letchworth) Kishido (Letchworth) Mary’s (Mary Jemison) Jack’s (Red Jacket) Starbucks (College Union) Vending Machines (Campuswide)

Our meal plans allow for three types of dining: Unlimited Dining, Block-Style Dining, and Retail Dining. These different options offer students a choice between value, convenience, and versatility. Unlimited dining is a unique structure that allows students to visit our pay-one-price dining locations as many times as they please without worrying about budgeting their meal plan throughout the year. Our block-style plan provides students with a set number of swipes and more retail dollars for ultimate flexibility of how and where they dine on campus. Retail dollars, which work on a declining balance, can be used at all on-campus retail locations and vending machines. Additional retail dollars can be added at any time.

How does the cost of unlimited dining compare to past meal plans?

Fall 2023 - ranged from $2,705 to $3,250
Fall 2022 – ranged from $2,575 to $3,095
Fall 2021 – ranged from $2,450 to $2,950
Fall 2020 – ranged from $2,350 to $2,925

Learn more about meal plan values and how we compare to other schools.

What does unlimited dining mean?

Unlimited means unlimited swipes or entry into our pay-on-price locations. Unlimited participants can visit these all-you-care-to-eat locations as often as they wish.

What is a block-style meal plan?

Block-style refers to a meal plan that provides a set number of swipes into our pay-one-price locations with a larger amount of Retail Dollars.

Do Meal Plans Roll Over?

From Fall to Spring – YES. Meal plans roll over from fall to spring so long as the individual is still participating in a meal plan.

From Spring to Fall – NO. There is no rollover from spring to fall. Meal plans are tax exempt and for this reason are not allowed to roll over from the spring to the fall.

What is Campus Cash and where can this be used?

Campus cash is an optional, prepaid account that can be used at several local off-campus businesses, the Geneseo Bookstore, on-campus restaurants and cafés, and on-campus vending machines. This debit-style account provides an easy and secure way to manage your spending money through the convenience of your SUNY Geneseo ID card. Please note that a minimum charge may apply at the discretion of the operator.

What are Retail Dollars and where can these be used?

Retail dollars are additional dollars added to unlimited meal plans for individuals to use on snacks and beverages at any of our retail locations as well as our vending machines. Our retail dining locations work on a declining balance. Participants can purchase goods at any retail location and the value of their selected items will be debited from their retail dollars. Students can add retail dollars to their meal plan anytime using Manage My ID Card, by contacting our Business Office at 585.245.5648, or visiting our office in Blake-A 108.

What are the breakfast options?

Weekdays – Starting at 7:30 a.m., Mary Jemison and Red Jacket open weekdays for breakfast. Weekday breakfast includes a variety of menu items from oatmeal, cereal, bagels, fresh fruit and yogurt to home fries, breakfast sandwiches, eggs, sausage and bacon, custom-made omelets (RJ), customizable smoothies (MJ), yogurt parfaits, and acai bowls. There is a rotating menu of items like specialty pancakes, breakfast quesadillas, waffles, and more. Additionally we offer a grab-and-go style breakfast at our Letchworth location.

Weekends – Letchworth opens with a continental-style breakfast at 9:00 a.m. and starting at 10 a.m. (RJ) and 11 a.m. (LW), brunch is available at Red Jacket and Letchworth and includes a variety of hot breakfast staples like eggs, bacon, breakfast potatoes, breakfast sandwiches, fresh fruit and yogurt, an assortment of cereals, bagels, and pastries along with other specialty items like smoked salmon (LW), build-your-own waffles (LW), ice cream, pizza (RJ), and more.

Where can I find healthy options like salads/wraps?

Healthy snacks and menu options are available within all of our restaurants & cafés. Each dining complex offers customizable menu items allowing students to create a variety of healthy salads, wraps, sandwiches, and more.

What kind of lettuce options do you have and how is your lettuce prepped and cleaned?

A majority of our lettuce, including baby spinach, field greens/spring mix, chopped romaine, green leaf filets, and shredded lettuce comes to us ready-to-use from Taylor Farms, Salinas, CA. These products go through a rigorous hydro-wash, multi-stage wash system that adheres to effective, industry-standard procedures by onsite quality assurance teams. CAS orders lettuce this way to ensure that you are tasting fresh, clean greens.

Can I speak to a Nutritionist?

Yes! We encourage you to contact our Nutrition & Wellness Manager with any questions or to work with you one-on-one to develop a personalized plan that works for you.

Contact: Dr. Heather Carrera, DCN, MS, CNS, CDN | carrera@geneseo.edu | 585.245.5569

Where can I find Gluten-Friendly items?

Gluten-friendly menu items can be found at all locations and are marked with our “GF” symbol on menus, packaging, and online. At Red Jacket and Letchworth, there is a dedicated Clean Eats (allergen-friendly) station that provides dishes free from the top nine allergens (milk, egg, fish, soy, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, sesame). Menu items are labeled for easy identification of allergens. Mary Jemison features a gluten-friendly station called Lotus.

We encourage you to contact our Nutrition & Wellness Manager with any questions or to work with you one-on-one to develop a personalized plan that works for you.

Contact: Dr. Heather Carrera, DCN, MS, CNS, CDN | carrera@geneseo.edu | 585.245.5569

Where can I find allergen-friendly options? What is Clean Eats?

Allergen-friendly options are available in all locations and some can be made to order by request. Clean Eats is a dedicated, allergen-friendly station that provides dishes free from the top nine allergens (milk, egg, fish, soy, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, and sesame). This station is located in Letchworth and Red Jacket Dining Complexes. Clean Eats grab-and-go snacks, sandwiches, and desserts are also available within each retail space on campus. In all locations, menu items are labeled with icons for easy identification of allergens. Kosher pre-made meals are available by request at each location. We also have a dedicated gluten-friendly station called Lotus in our Mary Jemison Dining Complex. Gluten-friendly menu items can also be found at other locations and stations and are marked with our “GF” symbol on menus, packaging, and online. Additionally, our Red Jacket location offers a vegan/vegetarian station, Roots, with plant-based options.

We encourage you to contact our Nutrition & Wellness Manager with any questions or to work with you one-on-one to develop a personalized plan that works for you.

Contact: Dr. Heather Carrera, DCN, MS, CNS, CDN | carrera@geneseo.edu | 585.245.5569

Where can I find Gluten-Friendly items?

Gluten-friendly menu items can be found at all locations and are marked with our “GF” symbol on menus, packaging, and online. At Red Jacket and Letchworth, there is a dedicated Clean Eats (allergen-friendly) station that provides dishes free from the top nine allergens (milk, egg, fish, soy, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, sesame). Menu items are labeled for easy identification of allergens. Mary Jemison features a gluten-friendly station called Lotus.

We encourage you to contact our Nutrition & Wellness Manager with any questions or to work with you one-on-one to develop a personalized plan that works for you.

Contact: Dr. Heather Carrera, DCN, MS, CNS, CDN | Carrera@geneseo.edu | 585.245.5569

What if I need assistance from a chef/manager?

If you experience any issues while dining at any of our locations or have a question or concern, we encourage you to bring this to the attention of the chef/manager on duty. It is best if we are able to address concerns or issues as they occur. Please don't hesitate to request assistance.

How do I submit feedback?

Individuals may provide feedback to CAS directly by contacting us or completing our online feedback form. If you are seeking a direct or immediate response, please contact us directly. If you wish to remain anonymous, please submit your input to our feedback form.