CU Boulder named No. 1 for plant-based dining and sustainability
An aeroponic garden in the Village Center Dining and Community Commons—the first in the nation to provide diners with fresh greens grown onsite in a high-tech greenhouse attached to a dining hall.
CU Boulder is the No. 1 post-secondary institution for plant-based dining and sustainability according to the Humane Society of the United States’ 2025 College and University Protein Sustainability . CU Boulder stands out as the only university with more than 50% plant-based offerings, with a bold commitment to ramping up to 75% this year.
“We’re honored to be recognized for our efforts to provide CU Boulder students more climate-friendly, plant-based menu items,” said Eliah Golden, chef and associate director for residential dining and culinary operations. “We’re committed to offering students delicious, nutritious and sustainable food options to help fuel their academic success and create lifelong habits that contribute to healthy bodies and healthy minds.”
The Humane Society’s first biannual scorecard analyzed climate-friendly, plant-based menu items offered by the nation’s largest colleges and universities. The Humane Society focused on schools with the largest undergraduate populations and self-operated dining programs and sent surveys to 39 schools in June 2024, with 26 completing the survey.
“A shift toward plant-based foods is the most impactful way food service providers can reduce their impact on the planet and reach their sustainability goals. Higher education institutions are positioned to have a tremendous positive influence,” said Kate Watts, director of Food Service Innovation at the Humane Society.
CU Boulder Dining Services’ 318 full-time team members and 600 students serve 3.5 million meals annually across its catering, retail and residential services. The university’s dining services takes a comprehensive approach to sustainability from waste redirection, community gardens, local sourcing and tracking greenhouse gas emissions.