Meal Plan FAQs
I am living on campus this year – how do I access my meal plan?
Your residential meal plan is available through your virtual meal card.
How do I access my virtual meal card?
- Go to your Sacramento State Campus Dining Account or scan the QR code provided.
- Click Student and Staff Login.
- Log in using your campus credentials.
- On the homepage, you’ll see your current meal plan details and recent transactions.
- Click Display Virtual ID.
- You can save your meal card to your mobile wallet or use it directly from the page.
I am living off campus – how do I purchase a meal plan?
Commuter students, faculty, and staff can purchase a Voluntary Meal Plan by visiting the Meal Card Office at The Servery at the Dining Commons.
We recommend completing the Voluntary Meal Plan Form/Agreement (csus.edu) (dining.csus.edu) before your visit.
Once the purchase is completed, you will be able to use your virtual meal card.
Can I get a physical meal card? Yes, you can request a physical meal card by visiting the meal card office located at the Servery at the Dining Commons. The cost to print a physical card is $10 (cash, credit, or Flex$).
What if I lose my physical meal card?
Lost physical cards can be replaced at the Meal Card office during open hours, located in The Servery at the Dining Commons, for $10 (cash, credit, or Flex$).
Meal Card Office hours of operations and contact information:
The hours of operation for the Meal Card Office in Fall 2025 (August 4th to December 12th, 2025):
- Monday 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Tuesday 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
- Wednesday 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Thursday 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
- Friday 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday CLOSED
Contact Information:
Phone: (916) 278 – 7502
Email: uei-dsinfo@csus.edu
What are Meal Swipes and how can they be used?
Meal Swipes are included in the Unlimited, Weekly 14, Weekly 10, Weekly 8, and Block 50 Meal Plans. They can be used to access our buffet style all-you-care-to-eat location at The Servery at the Dining Commons or at the Courtyard Market for our Hot Meal Program (Monday – Friday during Lunch or Dinner). Meal Swipes for Weekly 14, Weekly 10, and Weekly 8 plans reset at the end of every week (Sunday at 11:59 PM). Meal swipes for Block 50 plan do not reset every week.
What is Flex$ and how can it be used?
Flex$ is included in all Meal Plans available on campus except for the Block 50 plan. Flex$ can be utilized in a declining balance format (dollar for dollar) at any Hornet Hospitality dining location.
What are Meal Exchanges and how can they be used?
Meal Exchanges are included in the Unlimited (100 Per Semester), Weekly 14 (100 Per Semester), Weekly 10 (75 Per Semester), and Weekly 8 (50 Per Semester) Plans. Each plan has a limited number of Meal Exchanges that can be utilized throughout the semester. Meal Exchanges can be used in place of a Meal Swipe for a meal from a pre-determined menu at Courtyard Market, Choolaah (coming soon), The Bagel Place, Tenders Love and Chicken, Good Eats, Engrained, The Spread, The Habit Burger Grill, and Einstein Bros Bagels. The maximum number of Meal Exchanges that can be used per week is limited to the total number of Meal Swipes your plan offers per week until you reach your allotted semester total. Example: If I have the Weekly 14 Meal Plan, I can exchange up to 14 Meal Swipes per week for Meal Exchanges until I reach my maximum of 100.
What are Guest Meals and how can they be used?
Guest Meals are included in the Unlimited (10 Per Semester), Weekly 14 (10 Per Semester), Weekly 10 (5 Per Semester), and Weekly 8 (3 Per Semester) Meal Plans and are only valid at The Servery at the Dining Commons. They are intended to be used to bring friends, family, professors, etc. to dine with you! You may also use your Guest Meals for yourself at The Servery at the Dining Commons.
Can I transfer meal swipes, meal exchanges, or Flex$ to my friend’s card?
Meal Swipes, Exchanges, and Flex$ are non-transferable. However, you can use a Guest Meal to treat a friend!
How do I check my Meal Plan balance?
Log in to your Sacramento State Campus Dining Account to view your balance and transaction history.
Do my unused Meal Swipes carry over to the next week?
Meal Swipes in Unlimited, Weekly 14, Weekly 10, and Weekly 8 plans do not carry over from week to week. They reset every Sunday at 11:59 PM. Meal Swipes in Block 50 plan can be used during the whole semester, however, will expire on the last day of the semester.
Do Flex$ and Meal Exchanges expire?
Yes. Meal Plans expire on the last day of the semester and any residual balances you may have do not carry over to the next semester.
Can I change my Meal Plan?
- On-campus residents: You can make one change until September 5, 2025. After that, only one upgrade is permitted. To make changes, visit the Housing Portal.
- Off-campus students/faculty/staff: You can make one upgrade throughout the semester. To make changes, visit the Meal Card Office at the Servery at the Dining Commons.
How can I add more Flex$ to my Meal Plan?
You can add Flex$ to your existing Meal Plan at any time through the Sacramento State Campus Dining Account.
What if I have a dietary need or restriction?
Hornet Hospitality has a Registered Dietitian on site in The Servery at the Dining Commons to identify foods that meet your dietary needs. Please feel free to reach out to Dr. Qiong Chen at chen-qiong@aramark.com!
How can I see what you are serving at the dining hall?
Please visit The Servery @ the Dining Commons to see what’s on the menu!
Can I take meals to-go from the Servery?
Yes! Use your Meal Swipe for a To-Go Box instead of dining in. Please review our Reusable Green Box Policy for details.
Do I need a Meal Plan to dine at The Servery at the Dining Commons?
No, any member of the campus community can eat at The Servery at the Dining Commons. We gladly accept cash or credit cards. Door rates are as follows:
- Breakfast – $15
- Lunch – $17
- Dinner – $20
How can I keep up to date with Hornet Hospitality events, specials, and activities?
Make sure you are following @HornetsDining on Instagram and Facebook as well as checking hornethospitality.com!
What is Grubhub and how do I use it?
Grubhub allows you to order ahead from select campus dining spots.
- Download the Grubhub app
- Go to Campus Dining > Select California State University, Sacramento
- Choose your affiliation and link your Student ID
- Browse, order, and pick up your food — no lines!
Where can I use Grubhub?
You can use Grubhub at these Hornet Hospitality locations: The Spread, The Habit Burger, The Bagel Place, Good Eats, Tenders Love and Chicken, Grumpy Mule, Einstein Bros. Bagels, and Java City.
Can I use my Meal Plan on Grubhub?
Yes! You can use Flex$ from your meal plan to pay for orders placed through Grubhub at participating campus dining locations.
