Silver Award for Cornell Dining's INDIGO program in NACUFS Nutrition Awards
This year's NACUFS Nutrition Awards recipients have been announced by the National Association of College & University Food Services, and Cornell Dining's INDIGO Accommodation Kitchen has earned a Silver Award in the new Special Diet Program of the Year category.
Cornell Dining has long supported students with food allergies, food sensitivities, and other medically diagnosed dietary needs through a variety of programs, including labeling for major allergens as well as gluten throughout our eateries, and our gluten-free, peanut-free, and tree-nut-free dining room, Risley Dining.
For students with severe allergies or complex medical needs, though, the food available on the serving lines at residential dining rooms may not be safe or adequate. In some cases, that’s required preparing individualized meals for students whose dietary needs meant they couldn’t safely navigate the options available to everyone.
About two years ago, a team based in the Morrison Dining kitchen launched a pilot program with menus built around simple, whole foods prepared without seasoning or oil, making meals suitable for a wide range of medically diagnosed dietary needs. Building on the success of that pilot program, Cornell Dining officially launched the INDIGO Accommodation Kitchen in Fall 2025 in the third-floor kitchen of Robert Purcell Community Center, which offers a dedicated space with dedicated equipment and a specialized culinary team.
Students who are identified by Student Disability Services as needing individualized meals can place orders in advance from a menu of simply prepared vegan, vegetarian, and animal proteins such as chicken hard boiled eggs, and black beans; high- and low-fiber vegetables and starches including kale, carrots, sweet potato, or white or brown rice; plus add-ons like a garden salad, guacamole, Greek yogurt, or simple desserts. Detailed ingredient information is provided via NetNutrition. Students can then pick up their pre-ordered meals at one of four designated dining rooms around campus, and can either enjoy their meals right there with friends or take them elsewhere on campus, allowing both for greater flexibility and the inclusive social experiences that are such a big part of the campus dining experience.
The “INDIGO Kitchen” name is an abbreviation for “Individualized Dining on the Go,” highlighting the personalized preparation and portability of these meals, and the commissary nature of the program, with a nod to the color purple, which is commonly recognized as the designated color for food allergen labeling.
NACUFS says their "Nutrition Awards recognize the outstanding nutrition and wellness programs implemented within collegiate foodservice programs to meet the needs of a dynamic student population."
"The INDIGO Kitchen program our team has developed brings the inclusion and safety of our culinary program to new levels for our students who face a wide range of dietary restrictions and challenges," says Cornell Dining Director Paul Muscente. "I couldn't be prouder of their effort, and it's gratifying to see this recognition from our peers on a national level."
“Campus dining teams are navigating rising expectations, external pressures and rapid change with remarkable creativity and thoughtfulness,” said NACUFS President and CEO Robert Nelson. “At a time when students need connection and community more than ever, dining programs play a pivotal role in bringing people together and profoundly enhancing the campus experience. These award-winning initiatives reflect how collegiate dining professionals are evolving their operations, strategies and services to meet the moment while keeping student health and well-being at the center of their work.”
Nutrition Program Manager Michelle Nardi and Cornell Dining Director Paul Muscente will be on hand at next month's NACUFS 2026 National Conference in New Orleans to accept the award on behalf of the Cornell Dining Nutrition team.
About Cornell Dining
Cornell Dining is consistently ranked in the Princeton Review's top ten for best campus food among all colleges and universities in the country! That high rating comes from customer surveys, and reflects Cornell Dining's commitment to serving high-quality foods that are healthy and creatively prepared with genuine care for a diverse community. Cornell Dining operates about 30 on-campus eateries -- which include residential dining rooms, cafés, coffeehouses, food courts, and convenience stores -- and serves more than 23,000 meals a day to members of the Cornell community. For more information, visit dining.cornell.edu.