KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Vol Dining proudly celebrated the official ribbon cutting of Orange Acres Café, a new self-branded dining concept in the Agriculture and Natural Resources Building on the University of Tennessee’s Institute of Agriculture Campus.
Orange Acres Café represents a bold step in sustainable campus dining, highlighting the university’s commitment to local sourcing and environmental responsibility. The café celebrates East Tennessee agriculture while giving students, faculty, and staff fresh, high-quality meals right on campus.
Orange Acres features premium beef sourced directly from the UT Northeast Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center in Greeneville, bringing fresh, farm-to-table burgers and sandwiches to the campus community. Guests can also turn any entrée into a customized salad, blending nutrition, flavor, and convenience.
All food containers and packaging are 100% compostable and sent to the UT Compost Facility, significantly reducing waste routed to landfills. The composted material is then used across campus landscapes and agricultural projects, closing the loop and supporting the university’s growing zero-waste goals.
Orange Acres also introduces innovative food locker technology to enhance service for UT’s growing campus population. These lockers streamline the pickup process, minimize wait times, and increase throughput, offering a modern solution to busy mealtimes while reflecting Vol Dining’s commitment to forward-thinking solutions that serve the evolving needs of students and staff.
University leaders, students, faculty, and staff gathered to mark the grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and remarks from Amanda Hough, Director of Vol Dining, and Dr. Keith Carver, Senior Vice Chancellor and Senior Vice President of the UT Institute of Agriculture.
“It’s more than just a place to eat—Orange Acres is a celebration of what makes UT unique,” said Hough. “We’re serving meals with local ingredients, reducing our environmental impact, and offering a true taste of Tennessee pride.”
“Orange Acres provides the UT community with another delicious option for dining on campus,” said Carver. “Our teams from Vol Dining, Department of Sustainability, Facilities Services, and UT AgResearch worked together to provide a true farm-to-table experience utilizing beef from the UT farm in Greeneville, Tennessee. We are very pleased with the result.”
Orange Acres Cafè is open for service for the remainder of the spring semester and throughout the summer for the campus community to experience.
For more information about Vol Dining locations, please visit our Locations and Menus page.
“Our teams from Vol Dining, Department of Sustainability, Facilities Services, and UT AgResearch worked together to provide a true farm-to-table experience utilizing beef from the UT farm in Greeneville, Tennessee. We are very pleased with the result.”
Dr. Keith Carver
Senior Vice Chancellor and Senior Vice President
UT Institute of Agriculture
About Vol Dining
Vol Dining is dedicated to providing an exceptional dining experience for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, community. With a focus on quality, variety, and sustainability, our dining services offer a diverse range of delicious and nutritious options to suit every palate. From fresh, locally sourced ingredients to innovative dining concepts, Vol Dining strives to create a welcoming and satisfying environment for the entire Volunteer community. Our commitment to excellence extends beyond the plate, fostering a sense of community and enhancing the overall campus experience.
