Food and Meal Plans

The Right FitEat Right!

Food and home go hand in hand… and that’s no different in residence. UW’s Food Services department prides itself on looking after the well-being of students by offering outstanding customer service, flexible hours, quality meals and cultural themed events. They also offer a variety of vegetarian options, and open early during Ramadan. 

Fast Facts about Meal Plansstudent

  • About 80% of first-year students living in residence purchase a meal plan.
  • Meal plans work on a "declining debit" system. You use your WatCard (student id card) to spend meal plan dollars and flex dollars.
  • Meal plans include a combination of "Meal Plan Dollars" and "Flex Dollars". Meal plan dollars can be spent at any of the 17 on-campus eateries. Flex dollars can be spent at the on-campus eateries or on vending machines, laundry, textbooks, or food and other items at participating off-campus locations.
  • You can add extra money to your account at any time. At the end of each term any money remaining is carried forward as long as you're a student at UW.
  • If you're living in Ron Eydt Village or Village 1, a meal plan is required each term.
  • If you're living in Mackenzie King Village, UW Place, Minota Hagey or Columbia Lake Village, cooking facilities are available and buying a meal plan is optional.
  • You'll find more information about meal plans on the Food Services website.
More about meal plans