Meal plans

The voluntary Summer Meal Account is a flexible option for all students who have a ONECard between May 1 and August 31. To apply, email eat@uvic.ca or visit the UNFS office located in the Robert Carroll Building. 

Once the Summer Meal Account has been added to your ONECard, funds can be loaded with one of our cashiers or at the ONECard office. When you make a purchase, that amount is deducted from your balance. Add money at your convenience and tap your ONECard at any UNFS location to receive the 10% discount. 

Our food service offerings will be reduced during the summer and cannot guarantee they will be open for all meal times. For this reason the Summer Meal Account is voluntary with no minimum loads. 

Anticipated Summer Hours

• The Cove
  • May & June | 7am–2pm, Daily
  • July & August | 7am–7pm, Daily

• Mystic Market – General Store
  • May–August | 8am–3pm, Mon-Fri

All funds on the Summer Meal Plan are non-refundable. On August 31st any remaining, unused funds are automatically placed into a Carry Forward Account. These funds are accessible on your ONECard for future purchases from any University Food Services outlet and provide a 5% discount. 

The account works at all UNFS Food Outlets, this does not include at the Student Union Building (SUB) or Starbucks.

Overview

The Standard Meal Plan is mandatory for all students living in a dormitory.

As everyone is unique, with varying appetites and dietary needs, the Standard Meal Plan is not a “one size fits all” solution. The Standard Meal Plan is designed for students with an average appetite who may be off campus for breaks, holidays and weekends.

Breakdown of Fees

Upon acceptance into a dormitory residence, you are automatically placed onto a Standard Meal Plan and the cost of your plan is included within your Residence fees. You are charged $3,227 per semester for the Standard Meal Plan-a total of $6,454 for the school year.

Standard Meal Plan Fee Breakdown

Standard Meal Plan Dollars: These funds are loaded onto your ONECard Meal Plan Account for food purchases at The Cove and other UNFS outlets. These funds are tax exempt* and receive a 50% price reduction at The Cove and a 5% discount at all other UNFS outlets.

Flex Funds: These funds are loaded onto your ONECard Flex Account for use at campus retailers including all UNFS outlets (5% discount), the UVic Bookstore, Student Union Building, CARSA, McKinnon Gym and for printing & photocopying services.

Service Delivery Fee: All Standard Meal Plan dollars are subject to a 50% upfront fee that is offset by the 50% price reduction a student receives at The Cove. This fee allows UNFS to manage its cash flow by covering the costs of labour, administration and maintenance associated with a self-operated dining program and is a system used by many universities across Canada.

Capital Improvement Fund (CIF): This is a non-refundable fee used for capital investments that directly enhances residence dining environments, facilities and equipment. It is deducted from your meal plan cost and cannot be used to make food purchases.

*Certain purchases cannot be made with this plan at the Mystic Market General Store due to government Regulations surrounding Tax Exempt Meal Plans.

How the Meal Plan Works on Campus

The funds on your Standard Meal Plan are tax exempt and therefore you will not pay taxes on any qualifying purchases. You will also enjoy an additional 5% off at all UNFS retail locations.

Standard Meal Plan funds are intended for primary use at the The Cove. While you can use your funds at other UNFS outlets, you receive 50% off retail pricing at The Cove to compensate for the Service Delivery Fee you pay within your fees, and therefore, this location provides the most value for your meal plan dollars.

All funds on the Standard Meal Plan are non-refundable. At the end of the academic year, any remaining, unused funds from your Standard Meal Plan are automatically placed into a Carry Forward Account. These funds are accessible on your ONECard for future purchases from any University Food Services outlet and provide a 5% discount, however, these funds will no longer be tax exempt. Any remaining Flex Funds will remain untouched on your ONECard for future use.

PLEASE NOTE: Students who have not yet paid their residence fees in full will only have one month of Meal Plan funds loaded onto their ONECard. The full amount will be loaded once payment of residence fees is received in full.

Based on your appetite and anticipated time spent on campus, you may find you need additional funds beyond what the Standard Meal Plan provides-for this scenario we offer the +PLUS Account. The +PLUS Account allows you to customize the standard meal plan for your needs.

The +PLUS Account:

• Best value for purchases outside The Cove 
• Easily load funds online at any time
• Funds not subject to Service Delivery Fee
• All qualifying purchases are tax exempt
• Additional 5% off for 10% total savings at all University Food Services outlets

All funds added to a +PLUS Account are non-refundable. At the end of the academic year, any remaining, unused funds from your +PLUS Account are automatically placed into a Carry Forward Account. These funds are accessible on your ONECard for future purchases from any University Food Services outlet and provide a 5% discount, however, these funds will no longer be tax exempt. 

Overview

The Tax Exempt Meal Plan provides financial benefit when eating on campus. You will not pay GST on any qualifying purchases and will also receive an additional 5% discount at all UNFS locations, for 10% total savings. A Tax Exempt Meal Plan is optional and available for purchase at any time. 

This plan is designed for:

• students living in Cluster, Family or Apartment Housing
• students living off campus & frequently eat on campus

How to Apply 

Choose your plan from the options below and complete this application form. Email your completed form to eat@uvic.ca or drop it off in-person at the UNFS office. 

Conditions of the Plan

• The plan works on a declining balance system, with funds available for food purchases only
• This plan is designed for students who do not qualify for the standard residence meal plan
• For the monthly plan to continue to receive its tax exempt status, another monthly payment must be received 3 business days into the next month.
• Purchases are charged at regular price and receive a 5% discount at all UNFS locations
• Purchases cannot be made with this plan at the Mystic Market General Store due to government regulations surrounding Tax Exempt Meal Plans.
• The plan does not work at the Student Union Building (SUB) or Starbucks

All meal plans are non-refundable. When your meal plan expires, any remaining balance will be automatically transferred to a Carry Forward account that allows you to continue spending your remaining money on campus, whether you live on or off campus.