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First-Year Dining Program

phone: 919-660-3900 | emaildining@duke.edu | students.duke.edu/living/dining/

First-year students are required to have a Dining Plan that includes 14 pre-paid, all-you-care-to-eat meals each week (Board Plan) plus Food Points (see chart below) for a la carte meal purchases. The First-Year Dining Plan, known as Plan I, is designed to enhance the undergraduate experience. Centered around Marketplace, the main East Campus dining facility, the First-Year Dining Plan provides a wide range of choices and fosters a sense of community through dining together. The First-Year Dining Plan is divided into two parts: the Board Plan and Food Points. The Board Plan covers all breakfast, dinner and brunch meals and Food Points cover any other meal or snack. Students may add more points as necessary.

Dining PlanTotal Cost
Per Semester
Food Points 
Included Per Semester 
Plan I$4247$910

*Does not include tax or $25 Dining Contract Fee


You get a total of 14 Board Plan meals each week at Marketplace: five for breakfast; seven for dinner and two for weekend brunch (1 for Saturday and 1 for Sunday).

You receive one breakfast daily, Monday through Friday. A breakfast equivalency of $5.50 may be used for breakfast at The Skillet (Brodhead Center) until 10:30 am, or for lunch at Marketplace until 2:00 pm for those who miss breakfast. Breakfast and brunch at Marketplace or its equivalency must be used each day; They do not carry over to the next day 

Lunch can be at the Duke Dining location of your choosing by way of Food Points. 

All meals must be used each day; they do not carry over. Brunches are available Saturday and Sunday, only. You will receive one dinner daily, seven days a week at Marketplace. If a dinner meal is missed a dinner equivalency of $10.50 may be used at Trinity Café after 9pm. A dinner swipe can also be used at the Freeman Center, Monday-Thursday.

You will receive four complimentary guest meals each semester at Marketplace.

To view all dining plan transactions log in to your account through the DukeCard website. For more detailed information about your First-Year Dining Plan please visit: dining.duke.edu

First Board MealFirst Board Meal 
Saturday, August 26, 2023 (Brunch)
Last Board MealDinner 
Saturday, April 29, 2024
Service PeriodsLast Meal Before BreakFirst Meal After Break
Fall BreakBreakfast 
Friday, October 13, 2023
Dinner 
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
Thanksgiving BreakDinner 
Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Dinner 
Sunday, November 26, 2023
Winter BreakBreakfast 
Monday, December 18, 2023
Dinner 
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
Spring BreakBreakfast 
Friday, March 8, 2024
Dinner 
Sunday, March 17, 2024