Illumia Blog

Illumia Clients Earn Top Honors in the 2026 NACUFS Awards Program

June 23, 2026

Each year, NACUFS celebrates the creativity, innovation, and student-centered experiences that define the best of campus dining. This year's honorees consistently demonstrate strategic leadership and dedication that continues to elevate the dining experience.

We're especially excited to see so many Illumia clients earn Gold and Silver distinctions across some of the industry's most competitive categories. From sustainability initiatives and employee development programs to retail innovation and special diet offerings, these awards reflect the breadth of excellence happening across today's campus dining operations.

Among the top honorees:

  • University of Wisconsin-Madison Housing Dining Services earned three Gold awards for Catering Program of the Year, Employee Development Program of the Year, and Retail Sales: Single Concept of the Year.
  • University of Montana received two Gold awards for Carbon Neutrality and New Facility of the Year.
  • Cornell University received Silver recognition for Special Diet Program of the Year.
  • Duke University earned Silver recognition for Wellness and Nutrition Program of the Year.
  • University of Kansas received Silver recognition for Retail Sales: Single Concept of the Year.
  • University of Notre Dame earned Silver recognition for Special Diet Program of the Year.

University of Lynchburg's Burton Dining Hall also made a special impact by receiving Bronze recognition for Residential Dining Facility of the Year, marking its third consecutive year of national recognition in the NACUFS Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards. This achievement reflects the team's long-term commitment to culinary excellence.

We're thrilled to support these institutions with Illumia's campus dining technology solutions, including NetMenu and Food Service Suite (FSS). While technology is only one part of the equation, we're proud to partner with teams that continually push the industry forward through an unwavering focus on the student experience.

Congratulations to this year's winners!

2026 NACUFS Award-Winning Illumia Clients

Gold

  • University of Montana | Carbon Neutrality
  • University of Montana | New Facility of the Year
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison Housing Dining Services | Catering Program of the Year
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison Housing Dining Services | Employee Development Program of the Year
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison Housing Dining Services | Retail Sales: Single Concept of the Year

Silver

  • Cornell University | Special Diet Program of the Year
  • Duke University | Wellness and Nutrition Program of the Year
  • University of Kansas | Retail Sales: Single Concept of the Year
  • University of Notre Dame | Special Diet Program of the Year

Bronze

  • Indiana University Bloomington | Retail Sales: Multiple Concepts of the Year
  • University of California Merced | DEI & Social Justice
  • University of Lynchburg | Residential Dining Facility of the Year
  • U.S. Naval Academy | Wellness and Nutrition Program of the Year
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