Using Meal Plans at Berkeley

The University of California, Berkeley's dining system makes getting meals easier for students. Those who live on campus can enjoy dining services at their fingertips when classes are in session. SAF Korea Global Ambassador, Seyoung Lee, participated in a UC Berkeley summer study abroad program and found campus dining to be one of the perks of staying at the school. Lee found it easy to set up and navigate the dining system stating, "When you register as a visiting student at UC Berkeley through SAF, meal points are automatically paid."

Each meal plan consists of two elements: 

Meal swipes are a predetermined number of meal credits used weekly at the eating commons or as a meal equivalent value at restaurants like Browns and The Golden Bear Café. Any unused swipes will be reset for the next week at midnight at the end of the week. Meal swipes must be redeemed during one of the three dining time windows: breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Flex dollars operate like cash dollars, with a diminishing balance, and have a specific amount to be used each semester.

On-Campus Meal Plans

Berkeley summer study abroad students living on campus are all provided with a standard meal plan. They stay in residence halls near the dining halls, where they take their preloaded swipes and flex dollars. Lee commented, "There is a cafeteria called Crossroads about a 3-minute walk from my dormitory, so I used this place often! There are various buffet-style menus, and it is a system where you can eat as much food as you want. There were more types of food than I thought."

Berkeley Campus Dining Halls

Dining halls are some of the most popular places to grab a snack or a meal. There are four dining commons at Berkeley:

Cafe 3—This casual lounge-like atmosphere has two dining stations, a kosher station, and a quick service store called the Bear Market. Along with classics like burgers, chicken sandwiches, pizza, pasta, fries, and more, there are many different kinds of food. They also serve vegan, vegetarian, Kosher, and allergen-friendly food.

Clark Kerr—This eating commons is an ambient space with four hot meal stations, a deli bar, and a salad bar. Meal options include custom pizza, enchiladas, Tikka Masala, and pizza. There are also plenty of Halal, vegetarian, allergy-free, and gluten-free options.

Foothill—Foothill Eating Commons serves Indian, Asian, and American cuisines in a casual, homely atmosphere. Its 12 stations include Halal meat and chicken and the Bear Fit Station, which has allergy-free options. 

Crossroads—Berkeley Dining's flagship eatery, Crossroads is noted for its international cuisine and contemporary feel. Its 10 stations include pizza, deli options, pho, and a salad bar. The restaurant participates in food labeling, allergen-free platforms, and dietary demands.

In addition to dining halls, there are convenience stores and three restaurants where students can use their meal plans. 

Off-Campus Meal Plans

Graduate and undergraduate students living in off-campus residences may engage in more diversified food options but a meal plan it is not included in the SAF program fee. Off-campus meal plans are available every semester, providing flexibility, convenience, and value. 

Advantage Plan: This includes five weekly food swipes (1 per meal time) and $250 in flex dollars per semester.

Blue Plan: This plan includes 12 weekly food swipes (one per meal time) and $300 in flex dollars every semester. 

Gold Plan: This plan provides 10 weekly food swipes (1 per meal time) and $500 in flex dollars every semester.

The Ultimate Plan includes unlimited weekly food swipes (1 swipe every 30 minutes per meal hour) and $500 flex bucks per semester.

Getting enough to eat while studying should be easy enough for Berkeley students since there is a meal plan for every situation. If you are a student or a prospective student and would like to know more about meal plans at Berkeley, contact an SAF counselor to schedule a consultation to learn more.