#1 Columbia University (New York, New York)

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Coming out on top is none other than Columbia University, rising up from the second place spot last year. New York is the city of dreams, and Columbia is making dreams come true by consistently proving to their students that the 600 menu items served on campus daily are just as good as, if not better than, anything else New York City has to offer. But if you really must eat somewhere else, Columbia’s dining plans let you use Flex Dollars at a slew of local restaurants and grocery stores, including Chipotle, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, Five Guys Burgers and Whole Foods. You'll always find something to eat no matter the hour, and dining facilities are also open during breaks, giving students 17 more days of dining at no extra cost.

Since last year, Columbia University has gone even further in its goal of zero waste, with its Ferris Booth Commons becoming its first zero-waste facility this year. Columbia also consistently donates both food and money to City Harvest, and around 52 percent of all of the food purchased comes from vendors within 250 miles of campus. It has also addressed food insecurity among students, offering free meals to students in need, no questions asked. The registered dietitian on campus is available both online and in person for one-on-one consultations with students. Columbia’s halal and kosher dining options are also notable, with an all-kosher dining location offering traditional kosher deli items and a halal dining plan at no extra cost with delicious meals, such as Mediterranean fish, roasted lemon chicken, and curried beef. The university has a plethora of special food events such as culinary competitions, pop-culture themed parties, and national holidays. This year, it’s added special pop-up tastings as well as events such as Back to the ‘90s, Bob’s Burgers Bash, and Pancakes & Pajamas for when students are looking for something different and don't feel like trying to remember the cooking skills they learned at home.

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