Charlotte -- Chartwells Higher Education will mobilize more than 320 campuses on October 21, 2026, with a collective goal of donating 50,000 meals nationwide through its United Through Food initiative.
Dining teams, students and campus partners will run awareness events and giveback activations on the same day. The initiative is a yearlong platform built around three campaign moments, aimed at food security, food waste reduction and simple ways for students to get involved.
Survey data shows 56% of students struggle to access food
Chartwells cites the 2026 Campus Dining Index, which found that 56% of students experience challenges accessing food. CEO Eva Wojtalewski said the program makes it easy for students, dining teams and campus partners to act together.
Select campuses will host four donation formats
Giveback activations include Make 1 Donate 1 meal kit assembly stations, Swipe and Share meal plan donations, Can-struction food-building challenges and 1 LB for 1 Follower social media drives. Each is designed to support food security in the surrounding community.
Educational installations will put food waste statistics on display
Photo Pledge Walls, Food for Thought trivia and Empty Plate art installations will cover food waste and food insecurity.
Climate-friendly menus will feature upcycled and imperfect ingredients
Takeover lunches and dinners may include sweet potato hummus with fall root vegetable chips, tamales and tostadas with imperfect veggie salsa roja, root-to-stem soups, and global spice bowls built around regenerative agriculture crops. Desserts include chocolate chip cookies made with upcycled coffee, ripe banana bread and pumpkin spice energy bites.
The October 21 Day of Awareness builds on the program's back-to-campus food drives and spring waste-reduction events for Stop Food Waste Day.