Kosher Dining FAQs

Where is there Kosher food on campus?

In Hewitt Dining Hall, Barnard Kosher Dining offers hot meals three times a day. All meals are freshly made in a supervised full service kosher kitchen. Breakfast and lunch are dairy, while dinner is generally a meat meal. The kosher section includes a salad bar as well. Hewitt Kosher meals are available to all CC, SEAS, Barnard, and GS students with a meal plan. 

Columbia’s Kosher dining program offers Fresko meals, pre-packaged grab-and-go products. Fresko meals are offered at John Jay Dining Hall on Columbia’s campus. Again, all students with a CC, SEAS, Barnard, or GS meal plan can purchase these meals.

What dining plan should I choose?

When selecting a dining plan, there are many options, including plans labeled “Kosher Plan.” With any CC, SEAS, Barnard, or GS plan, Kosher or not, you can access hot Kosher food at Hewitt. However, you should purchase a Kosher meal plan if you plan to regularly eat from the Kosher section.

Who supervises the Kosher food?

Both campuses are under strict supervision. The Fresko pre-packaged products are under the Star-K supervision. Barnard Kosher Dining in Hewitt Dining Hall is supervised by the Queens Vaad who also oversee the kosher operations on a number of campuses in New York.

What is the difference between Columbia and Barnard Meal Points?

Meal plans come with points that work like cash on campus. Columbia points may only be used at Columbia campus retail facilities (including the John Jay Kosher Deli), while Barnard points may only be used at Barnard facilities. Additional Dining Dollars may be purchased that are usable on both campuses.

Where can I eat on Shabbat?

The Kraft Center for Jewish Student Life offers free Kosher Shabbat dinners every Friday night, called Kraft Shabbat Dinner (these are not part of any meal plan). Saturday lunches are offered by Barnard Kosher Dining and are set up in a Shabbat-style communal meal on Barnard’s campus. The exact location of the meal varies on a weekly basis, but it is announced by Hillel before Shabbat begins. Students can sign up using a meal swipe ahead of time, before Shabbat begins. Dining is not in the Hewitt Dining Hall on Shabbat.

Where can I get more information?

For Columbia dining services, please contact [email protected] or call 212-854-4076.

For Barnard, please contact dining manager Livia Drake ([email protected]) or call (212) 854-6642.