The Poly Trolley has won first place in a national competition for college and university food services.

The food truck earned the 2014 Loyal E. Horton Dining Award in the "Retail Sales-Single Concept" category, which is open to any single, stand-alone unit that is not part of a marketplace concept. The annual award is given out by the National Association of College and University Food Services.

"Receiving first place in the Loyal E. Horton competition is a huge triumph for our dining services department and the entire Foundation," says Paul Storey, executive director of the Cal Poly Pomona Foundation, which operates the trolley. "We are proud to consistently give the campus community an award-winning dining program."

The Loyal E. Horton Dining Award is a prestigious honor that celebrates and recognizes exemplary campus dining services throughout the country. It is considered the highest honor in college and university culinary arts.

Applicants had to send a comprehensive book filled with detailed descriptions, examples, and photographs of the unit and were required to address a number of topics, including the menu, facility design, merchandising, marketing, nutrition, and sustainability. The trolley finished ahead of entries from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada; Stanford University; and UC San Diego.

The Poly Trolley began service about a year ago, offering an Asian and Southwestern inspired menu. It is believed to be the first food truck nationwide to serve Starbucks coffee.