Students sitting around a table laughing in the Orillia cafeteria

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.

 

 

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

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.
Residence Halls Main Dining Hall | Hours of Operation

Hours of operation

Standard Hours

Breakfast
Mon - Fri 7:30AM - 10:30AM

Brunch
Sat - Sun 10:30AM - 2:00PM

Lunch
Mon - Fri 11:15AM - 2:30PM

Dinner
Mon - Fri 4:45PM - 7:30PM
Sat - Sun 4:45PM - 7:00PM

All Day
Mon - Fri 7:30AM - 7:30PM
Sat - Sun 10:30AM - 7:00PM

 

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.

  1. Entry requires a valid Meal Plan Card, Conference Card or Cash payment.
  2. Entry is only permitted at the designated door.
  3. Regular Operation requires all students to dine-in only.  (Food cannot be taken 'to-go')
  4. Dining Hall Patrons are required to clear their soiled dishes to the Scraping Station.
  5. Dishes, Cutlery and other items are not to be removed from the Dining Hall.
  6. Your Meal Plan Card is for Your Use Only. It is not transferable.
  7. 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. 
  8. Dining Hall Patrons are required to use the provided utensils for self service items in order to prevent contamination. 
  9. Be respectful of your surroundings, your fellow patrons and the service providers. 
  10. Dining Hall Patrons are required to wear appropriate footwear and clothing at all times.
  11. Dining Hall Patrons may fill their own, reasonably sized, water bottle from our beverage selections, excluding juice, milk and chocolate milk. 

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

All Access Dining and Declining Balance Dollars (DB$)

A daily meal plan is included with your residence package at Lakehead University Orillia Campus.  Lakehead University Orillia offers all residence students "All Access Dining", a more flexible dining experience and only a short 2-minute walk from Residence!  This plan provides students more value for your dollar and allows students to eat as much or as little as they want in the Residence Dining Hall. 

For any additional information regarding your student meal plan, or if you wish to discuss specific dietary needs, please contact Maddy Temple, Administrative Coordinator for Residence and Conference Services at ext. 3001 or resadmin.orillia@lakeheadu.ca. For student support or concerns related to your dining experience, please contact Tim Lade, Residence Area Coordinator at 705-242-2838 or tlade@lakeheadu.ca.

Meal Plan Choices

Students can choose from two meal plans. Both plans allow students unlimited entry into the Residence Dining Hall during regular hours of operation

7 Day Meal Plan: 

All Access Dining in the Residence Dining Hall seven days a week + $650.00 declining balance

5 Day Meal Plan:

All Access Dining in the Residence Dining Hall Monday to Friday + $650.00 declining balance

About Dana Hospitality 

Dana Hospitality, a local Canadian culinary company, provides daily food service programming for our students, faculty, staff and guests.

Dana Hospitality prepares food from scratch using fresh local ingredients every day. Understanding that high quality ingredients are integral to great food preparation, Dana sources from local Canadian producers, greenhouse growers and dedicated farmers who meet the highest standards. Those ingredients, combined with daily customized menus, ensure that what they deliver will be the best possible taste experience to everyone at Lakehead University.

Dana Hospitality avoids frozen, pre-packaged or processed entrées or canned, freeze-dried or bagged soup. They serve healthy sized portions and prepare their food using healthy cooking techniques. They offer diverse menu options and create their menus based on your preferences. Please don’t hesitate to provide your comments and suggestions to the Chef as this will help in the creation of a program designed for Students and Faculty and Staff.

Menus include hot and cold breakfast and lunch options with vegetarian choices at each, along with a wide variety of fresh and fast options available throughout the day. You will experience freshly prepared soups and entrees (low sodium), in house roasted beef and turkey, hand formed burgers and fresh-cut fries, homemade dressings, sauces and desserts and so much more!

Menus are posted weekly

Dining Hall Hours of Operation

Dining Hall

  • Fall: August 29th (opens 7:30am) - December 16th, 2024 (closing 7:30pm)  
  • Winter: January 4th (opens 10:30am) - April 19th, 2025 (closing 7:30pm)
    • Monday to Friday: 7:30am to 7:30pm
    • Saturday, Sunday, Holidays, Fall & Winter Study Weeks: 10:30am to 6:30pm

Wolfie's Cafe

  • Fall:  September 6th - December 18th, 2024 
  • Winter: January 6th - April 19th, 2024
  • Monday to Thursday: 8:00am to 4:00pm 
  • Friday: 8:00am to 2:00pm
  • Saturday, Sunday, Holidays, Fall & Winter Study Weeks: Closed

Public House

  • Fall: September 6th - December 18th, 2024
  • Winter: January 7th - April 19th, 2025
  • Tuesday - Thursday: 3:00pm to 9:00pm 
Withdrawal - Meal Plan Cancellation Policy & Meal Plan Change Request

Please see below for applicable penalties dependent on date of departure for the meal plan:

Meal Plan cancellation rates

Meal Plan Change Requests: 

Meal Plans may be changed within the first 7 days of the Fall semester or the first 7 days of the Winter semester.  Please visit the Front Desk to complete your request form. 

Residence Dining Hall Rules and Regulations
 
  1. Entry requires a valid Meal Plan Card or Cash payment. 
  2. Meals are dine-in only and take out is not permitted.
  3. Patrons are required to clear their soiled dishes to the designated scraping station.
  4. Dishes, cutlery and other items are not to be removed from the Dining Hall.
  5. Your meal plan card is for your use only. It is not transferable.
  6. Patrons are required to wear appropriate footwear and clothing at all times.
  7. Be respectful of your surroundings, your fellow patrons and the service providers. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

How does a declining balance work?

Declining Balance Dollars ("DB Dollars") work similar to money on a debit card, and are stored with a student's meal plan information on their Lakehead University Student ID Card.  Every time a purchase is made using DB Dollars, the total purchase cost is subtracted from the dollar balance on the student card.  DB Dollars can be used anywhere on campus where food service is operated by the campus caterer. Top ups are available in increments of $100.00.

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

Thunder Bay

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.

Orillia

Students contact the Residence Administration Office at resadmin.orillia@lakeheadu.ca with any questions as your meal plan is included as part of your accommodation.

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

What is being served in the residence dining hall?

Thunder Bay

See what is on the menu in the Residence Dining Hall

See a sample menu

Orillia

See what is on the menu in the Dining Hall

 How do I see my remaining DB dollars or purchase a voluntary meal plan?

Thunder Bay

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:

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

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

Orillia

Students can view remaining DB Dollars balance at LakeheadU | scratch, fresh, local or by asking the Dana Hospitality staff in the Dining Hall or at Wolfie's Cafe.

I am in an apartment or townhouse, can I still purchase a meal plan? (Thunder Bay only)

Thunder Bay Students Only

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 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?

Thunder Bay

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:

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

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

Follow us on Instagram @lakeheaddining

Orillia

 

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 chunk 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).  


Contact Us

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

Follow us on Instagram @lakeheaddining

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