Students at dinner

DINING SERVICES

Rockford University Campus Dining Services

Rockford University, in cooperation with Dining Services provided by Fresh Ideas, offers healthy meals for members of its community.  Join fellow students, faculty, and staff, as all members of the university community are welcome to eat in the Burpee Dining Center or the Den. 

Dining Services provides meals when the university is in session and on a limited basis at other times.  Current meal hours and prices will be posted at the entrance to the dining center.    A valid student ID card MUST be shown to enter the dining center.  Commuter students and guests may purchase individual meals using debit or credit cards.

For more information regarding operating hours, menus, and the FreshX mobile app, please visit https://www.freshideasfood.com/rockforddining/.

Burpee Dining Center: Hours of Operation

The Burpee Dining Center is located on the second floor of Burpee Student Center.

Burpee Dining Center Hours
Monday – Thursday: 7:00 am – 9:00 am/11:00 am – 2:00 pm/5:00 pm -7:00 pm
Friday:  7:00 am – 9:00 am/11:00 am – 2:00 pm/5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Saturday and Sunday:  12:00 pm – 1:30 pm/5:00 pm – 6:30 pm

The Den: Hours of Operation & Meal Equivalency Information

The Den, located on the first floor of Burpee Student Center, provides another option for eating while on-campus.  Menu items are made-to-order for all members of the Rockford University community.  Snacks and to-go options make this a popular stop for students during the day.

Students with a meal plan may utilize their Declining Balance at any time the Den is open or utilize the Meal Equivalency program.  Those with the 19 meal plan and 15 meal plan have up to 5 available meal exchanges per week.

Den Hours

Monday-Thursday:  8:30 am – 10:00 pm
Friday:  8:30 am – 8:00 pm
Saturday &  Sunday:  3:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Meal Equivalency Hours at the Den

Monday-Thursday:  2:00 pm – 5:00 pm/7:00 pm –  Close
Friday:  2:00 pm – 5:00 pm/6:30 pm – Close
Saturday & Sunday:  4:00 pm – 5:00 pm/6:30 pm – Close

Fresh Ideas at Rockford University offers a Meal Equivalency program at the den.   The equivalency can only be used 5 times a week. The week starts on Friday and ends on Thursday night. The way the equivalency works is Fresh Ideas applies a credit of $4.25 to any transaction, and the student is responsible for the remaining balance of the transaction using their DCB’S or debit/ credit card.  Example Burger $5.95, Fries $1.00 Drink $1.00 equaling $7.95. Fresh Ideas covers $4.25 and the balance of $3.70 is the student’s responsibility. We do offer a straight exchange of Fries, 4 chicken Nuggets and a drink that does not require any additional funds from the student.

Residence Hall Meal Plans

As part of students’ housing agreements with Dining Services, students are required to subscribe to a meal plan.  This requirement ensures students have access to a reasonably-priced, high-quality, nutritious meal program.  It also helps to ensure that food preparation does not take place in the residence halls, which would present health and safety problems.  The meal plan assists students in managing their time by eliminating the need to shop, prepare, and clean-up after meals, while it also encourages social interaction among all residents.

Residential Student Meal Plans

2023-2024 Residence Hall Student Meal Plans and Costs

Meal Plan A:  19-meal plan per week + $50 each semester on ID Card for Flex Dollars (DCB):   ($4,770.00 per year)

(Required of First Year Students in Residence Halls/Option for upper-class students)

This meal plan offers breakfast, lunch and dinner on weekdays, and brunch and dinner on Saturdays and Sundays when the University is in session.

Meal Plan B:  15-meal plan per week + $75 each semester on ID Card for Flex Dollars (DCB):   ($4,600.00 per year)

This meal plan, available to upper-class students, allows choice of their contracted number of meals from any of the meal times offered during the week (i.e., students are limited in number of meals served each week, not particular meals).

Meal Plan C:  10-meal per week +$325 each semester in Flex Dollars (DCB):   ($4,510.00 per year)

This meal plan, available to upper-class students, allows choice of their contracted number of meals from any of the meal times offered during the week (i.e., students are limited in number of meals served each week, not particular meals).

Meal cards will not permit access into the cafeteria once the number of meals contracted has been reached that week.

*The Residential Student Meal Plan Contract is completed when the Housing Application is completed.

Meal Plan Exchanges and Exemptions

Requests for meal plan changes must be submitted no later than seven days after the beginning of each semester. Residents who experience unexpected circumstances after the first week of the semester may petition for an exemption or to have their meal plan altered. Only serious medical conditions and other circumstances which cannot be resolved after consulting with the Director of Fresh Ideas will be considered as appropriate reasons for meal plan changes or exemptions.

Residential students with schedule conflicts that prevent them from eating in the dining center may contact the Food Service Office to arrange for box lunches. Students who are sick may arrange for a sick tray through the Lang Center for Health, Wellness, Counseling, and Disability Services or, if the Lang Center is closed, through the Office of Residence Life or their Resident Assistant.

Special Dietary Needs

If you have medical condition that requires a special diet, you are strongly encouraged to meet with the Food Service Director to review any special needs. Please provide your doctor’s guidelines, in writing, so we can work together to meet your needs.

Dining Services  
Burpee Center–2nd floor
5050 E. State Street
Rockford, IL 61108

Chad Nawrocki
Director of Dining Services
815-226-3363 cnawrocki@freshideasfood.com

David Carandang
Executive Chef
815-226-3332