Meal Plans

Meal Plans offer convenient and delicious dining options to students. Food Services understands the importance of having access to nutritious meals that fit individual dietary preferences and requirements. The culinary team provides a wide variety of dining choices from breakfast to dinner, guaranteeing that everyone can find something to eat. Overall, meal plans help to create a sense of community which contributes to a more pleasant living experience.

Residence Halls Student Meal Plan

A comprehensive, mandatory meal plan is included for students with accommodation in the Residence Halls.

All Access Dining in the Residence Dining Hall + $800.00 declining balance
Students are allowed unlimited entry into the Residence Dining Hall during regular hours of operation
Declining balance dollars can be used anywhere on campus where food service is operated by Aramark.

What is declining balance?

Declining balance works similar to money on a debit card, and is stored with a student's meal plan information on their Lakehead University Student ID Card. Every time a purchase is made using Declining Balance, the total cost is subtracted from the dollar balance on the person's student card.

Please note:

There are no refunds on unused meals and/or declining balance amounts nor do they carry over to the next academic year.

Residence Halls Main Dining Hall | Hours of Operation

Open 7 days a week - Click here for hours of operation

Hours of Operation:

Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 7:30 pm

Saturday, Sunday, Holidays, Reading Week: 10:30 am to 7:00 pm

Residence Halls Main Dining Hall | Rules and Regulations

Rules and Regulations are enforced by Management and Resident Assistants. Violations may result in appropriate Disciplinary Actions.

Entry requires a valid Meal Plan Card, Conference Card or Cash payment.
Entry is only permitted at the designated door.
Regular Operation requires all students to dine-in only. (Food cannot be taken 'to-go')
Dining Hall Patrons are required to clear their soiled dishes to the Scraping Station.
Dishes, Cutlery and other items are not to be removed from the Dining Hall.
Your Meal Plan Card is for Your Use Only. It is not transferable.
Due to Ontario Healthy Mean Choices Act, 2015, S.O. 2015 c. 5, Sched. 1, we are required to post nutritional values for all food served, and out staff must serve the assigned portion Seconds are available on a limited basis after consumption of the prior servings.
Dining Hall Patrons are required to use the provided utensils for self service items in order to prevent contamination.
Be respectful of your surroundings, your fellow patrons and the service providers.
Dining Hall Patrons are required to wear appropriate footwear and clothing at all times.
Dining Hall Patrons may fill their own, reasonably sized, water bottle from our beverage selections, excluding juice, milk and chocolate milk.

Withdrawing from Lakehead University? What Happens With My Meal Plan?

Residence Halls Students - Please contact the Residence Admissions/Accounts Office at resaccnt@lakeheadu.ca with any questions as your meal plan is included as part of your accommodation.

For Voluntary Meal Plan holders, please contact our Food Services Office if you have questions regarding withdrawal from the Meal Plan. Any cancellations will incur an administrative fee at the time of processing.

Unused Declining Balance (DB) Dollars do not roll over into the next year.

FAQ

What is Being Served in the Residence Dining Hall?

Click here to see what is on the menu in the Residence Dining Hall

Click here to see a sample menu

How Do I See My Remaining DB Dollars or Purchase a Voluntary Meal Plan?

Apartment and Townhouse Students - Purchase a voluntary meal plan

ALL Students - View remaining DB Dollars balance or add more DB Dollars to your student card

Go to Campus Dish website:

Go to Sign In in the top right-hand corner
Sign up for an Account
Click on drop-down beside your name once account is created
Check DB Dollars balance
Purchase Meal Plan or Add DB Dollars
Link card

Aramark will confirm that your account has been activated within 48 hours of your request.

I Am In An Apartment or Townhouse, Can I Still Purchase a Meal Plan?

As the apartment and townhouse units have full kitchens, meal plans are not mandatory. However, students not wishing to prepare all of their own meals can purchase one of the many optional meal plans that fit their needs.

See the Voluntary Meal Plan Form or visit https://lakeheadu.campusdish.com/ for more information on voluntary meal plans.

You can even add any amount of Declining Balance dollars to your student card to use on campus and not have to worry about carrying cash. DB Dollars can be used at any Aramark-Operated Food Services outlet.

Please note: there are no refunds on unused meals and/or declining balance amounts nor do they carry over to the next academic year.

For more information please contact the Aramark Office. (807) 343-8142

Where Can I Use My Declining Balance (DB) Dollars?

We have various Food Service Outlets available on campus for you to enjoy - either by standard forms of payment or by using DB dollars on your student or staff card.
Declining Balance dollars can be used at:

Starbucks
Main Cafeteria
Subway
Dan's Diner
Pizza Pizza
Milktease - Bubble Tea
Grille Works
Bento Sushi
Library Cafe
Catertrax: Grocery Program
Catertrax: Meals2Go

Click the links here for current options and hours of operation:

Click here for dining locations on campus

Don’t worry if you get too busy to cook or head to the grocery store! Check out Catertrax for ready-made meals for pick up and order your groceries for pick up or delivery. These services are available to anyone on & off campus!

Meals 2 Go

Grocery Program

What About My Dietary Restrictions and Preferences?

Allergies
There is a range of allergies that our Food Service Partner is experienced in navigating. These range from serious allergies to less common highly specialized food sensitivities. Students are encouraged to advocate for themselves when their needs are in question.

Please note that even though our Food Service Provider makes every attempt to mitigate the most common food allergies, we cannot guarantee our facilities are free from specific allergens of concern. Please contact the Food Services Office to discuss your particular needs.

Vegan/Vegetarian
Don’t worry, there’ll be more than just a hunk of tofu waiting for you. Our kitchen is experienced in preparing a wide variety of delicious vegan and vegetarian meals.

Dietary Restrictions
Students who require specific diets due to medical conditions such as Celiac Disease, Diabetes, and other intolerances are encouraged to advocate for themselves and maintain a free flow of communication with our Food Services Partner - Aramark - and our Food Services Office.

Religious and/or Cultural Food Requirements
Students who require food that adheres to specific religious or cultural requirements are encouraged to reach out to our food services team, please contact us (see below). 

In-Person Meetings are by Appointment Only. Please ensure you contact us to arrange a meeting in our office in advance.

Aramark Office: Located in the University Centre - Entrance to the office is in the ‘Alumni Commons’ Hallway towards the Faculty Lounge. When standing in the Agora, walk towards Lake Tamblyn and follow the hallway until you reach the “Aramark Office” door on your left-hand side.

Nick Buragina
Aramark Manager
(807) 343-8010 ext. 8929
manager.aramark@lakeheadu.ca

Food & Conference Services Office: Located in Bartley Residence - Kenora / K107. The Bartley Residence is a separate building to the main campus, located on the other side of Lake Tamblyn. If you follow the path towards the Residences, you will find the Bartley Entrance off of the main road leading from campus. Upon entering the building, our Front Desk team can direct you or take a left and sharp right into the carpeted area of the building (you are now in the “Conference Centre”). There is another door on your left-hand side that leads into an office area. Please follow the hallway to K109.

Christine Costa-Wilson
Director, Food and Conference Services - Thunder Bay and Orillia
(807) 343-8010 ext. 8779
ccosta@lakeheadu.ca