Ohio Wesleyan is launching a new, elevated dining program this fall with Harvest Table Culinary Group—bringing chef-driven menus, fresh ingredients, and an improved campus dining experience, all while keeping dining plan costs unchanged for the 2026–2027 academic year. As shared in Dr. Matt vandenBerg’s May 5 message, this transition reflects a strong commitment to quality, value, and student experience.
Beginning July 1, Harvest Table becomes OWU’s dining partner following a unanimous recommendation from the Future of Student Dining Task Force and the Ohio Wesleyan Dining Committee. This decision was shaped by student input—and that involvement will continue. Current students will remain central in guiding the future of dining through ongoing committees and feedback opportunities.
What to expect this fall:
- Higher-quality food: Chef-driven menus with fresh, scratch-made meals and responsibly sourced ingredients
- No increase to dining plan costs: Greater value without added expense
- Convenient technology: Grubhub mobile ordering and digital menus with full nutrition and allergen transparency
- Allergen-friendly dining: Dedicated program free from the top nine allergens, plus support from an on-site registered dietitian
- Enhanced campus experience: Events like monthly farm-to-table dinners led by a guest experience manager
- Upgraded spaces and options: Improvements to dining locations, including expanded grab-and-go and grocery offerings
We are grateful to AVI Fresh for their service to OWU and are working to ensure a thoughtful transition, including opportunities for current team members to remain on campus.
OWU Sponsoring Organization/Office: Department of Residential Life & Dining Services
Contact: Brian Emerick at reslife@owu.edu