Information About Grinnell’s 2025-26 Meal Plans
The comprehensive fee for the 2025-26 academic year once again includes the cost of the unlimited meal plan. Grinnell College assesses meal plans each year and considers feedback from the community, as well as issues of health, wellness, nutrition, and food insecurity. As a residential campus, the College balances the need for simple, clear, and flexible options while also enabling diverse offerings and the role that campus dining plays in providing a social space, sense of community, and belonging. The 3% increase in meal plan pricing reflects part of the moderate increase in the price of staples and ingredients over the past year.
The College continues to expand its partnerships with local businesses that accept dining dollars. Current partners include El Cascabel, Pagliai’s Pizza, McNally’s, Jay’s Deli, Saint’s Rest, and Dari Barn (in season).
The following table shows the options for the 2025-26 Academic Year:
|
Plan 1 |
Plan 2 |
Plan 3 |
|
|
|
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Required for all first-year resident students and available to all students. |
Available to second-, third- and fourth-year resident and non-resident students. Second-, third- and fourth-year students living in residence halls must choose either Plan 1 or 2. |
Not available to on-campus students. Mandatory for all Renfrow Hall, theme house, language house, and off-campus students in non-college housing if not choosing Plan 1 or 2. |
|
$9,236/year |
$8,564/year |
$3,813/year |
Dining services routinely works with students to meet a wide variety of dietary needs, including those related to food allergies and medical requirements. Students may contact the dietitian at dietitian@grinnell.edu to discuss individual needs. For other required accommodations, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Disability Resources.
Meals and dining dollars are non-transferable and reset at the end of each semester.