At the University of Maryland, a student’s day can shift quickly from a morning lecture to an afternoon lab, a group project at the library, dinner with friends and a late walk home after studying. When your schedule changes by the hour, healthy routines need to be simple, flexible and close by. That is where your living environment can make a real difference.
At Rambler College Park North, we want to support our residents’ goals for health and wellness. That’s why we are pursuing a Fitwel certification to make sure we are providing everything our residents might need to meet their health and fitness goals.
Fitwel looks at how buildings and communities can support health and well-being through design, amenities and access to everyday wellness resources.
In this article, we’ll cover:
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What is Fitwel Certification?
Fitwel is a certification focused on enhancing health and well-being in buildings and communities.
According to the Fitwell website:
“Fitwel is the world’s leading certification system committed to building health for all®. Generated by expert analysis of 7,000+ academic research studies, Fitwel is implementing a vision for a healthier future where all buildings and communities are enhanced to strengthen health and well-being.”
One of the pillars of a Fitwel-certified property is easy access to healthy food options. To meet Fitwel criteria, the building must be within a half-mile walking distance of at least two off-site locations that provide food and drink that meet a lengthy list of health and wellness requirements.
These requirements range from daily fresh fruit and vegetables to meat- and plant-based proteins and no-sugar added desserts. For the full list of requirements, see the bottom of the page.
Why does healthy food access matter?
Healthy food access matters because students are more likely to make balanced choices when those choices are nearby, flexible and realistic for their schedule.
Eating clean and opting for healthier dietary choices has a multitude of benefits. The American Heart Association stresses this:
“Eating healthy is a key way for individuals to take control of their health. Unfortunately, too many people consume too many foods high in saturated fats, added sugars and sodium and they eat too few fruits, vegetables and whole grains, placing them at increased risk for cardiovascular disease.
Understanding what we feed our families and how we cook our meals is the first step to preventing and treating health conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.”
That is why location plays such an important role in student wellness. A healthier living environment is not only about what is inside your apartment community. It’s also about what’s around you.
UMD Dining Services already provide a wide range of campus dining resources, including dining halls, menus, nutrition information, allergy and special diet resources and dining locations across campus. Living near additional off-campus food options can give you even more flexibility, especially when you want something quick, customizable or close to home.
When you combine those campus resources with Fitwel-approved College Park restaurants, students have more ways to choose meals that fit their schedule, budget, preferences and wellness goals.
Where can I find healthy options in College Park?
If your goal is to make healthy choices during the school year, there are plenty of restaurants offering clean ingredients and healthy food options all within walking distance of Rambler College Park North.
The below restaurants are close to fully meeting Fitwel’s criteria for healthy food and beverage selections (see bottom of page):
1. Sweetgreen
Location: 8300 Baltimore Avenue
Distance from Rambler College Park North: 4-minute drive
Best for: Salads, warm bowls, customizable meals, vegetables, lean proteins
Sweetgreen’s College Park location is close to the University of Maryland campus and student life, offering salads and warm bowls for different dietary preferences.
This is a strong option if you want something filling but still fresh. You can build a meal around greens, grains, roasted vegetables, chicken, tofu, legumes and different dressings depending on your preferences.
Why UMD students may like it: It works well for quick lunches, easy takeout and customizable meals when you want control over what goes into your bowl.
2. CAVA
Location: 7350 Baltimore Avenue
Distance from Rambler College Park North: 2-minute walk
Best for: Mediterranean bowls, grains, greens, vegetables, hummus, chicken, falafel
CAVA can be a practical option when you want a meal that includes vegetables, grains, protein and flavorful toppings without needing to cook. You can build a bowl with greens, rice, lentils, dips, vegetables, grilled chicken, falafel or other Mediterranean-inspired ingredients.
Why UMD students may like it: It is customizable, filling and easy to make vegetarian, plant-forward or protein-heavy depending on your routine.
3. Chopt Creative Salad Co.
Location: 4386 Knox Road
Distance from Rambler College Park North: 2-minute walk
Best for: Custom salads, warm bowls, wraps, vegetables, grains and protein-focused meals
Chopt Creative Salad Co. is a convenient option for UMD students looking for a quick, customizable meal near campus. Chopt offers salads, warm bowls and wraps that students can build around greens, grains, vegetables and protein options.
This makes it a strong option to consider to reach your healthy eating goals because you can choose meals with fresh vegetables, plant-based ingredients and proteins like grilled chicken, salmon, shrimp, tofu and other add-ons.
Why UMD students may like it: Chopt is easy to customize based on your schedule, appetite and dietary preferences. You can grab something lighter between classes, build a more filling bowl after a workout or choose a wrap when you need something quick before heading back to campus.
We hope this article helps you better understand how living at Rambler College Park North can help you prioritize your overall health and wellness. For more information on living at Rambler College Park North, check out our website and feel free to contact our leasing team if you have any questions!
Full Fitwel Criteria:
- 3+ non-fried veggie options daily
- Variety of non-fried proteins daily (75%+ non-fried)
- Plant proteins 3x/week
- If meat’s served, seafood 2x/week
- If dessert’s offered, a no-added-sugar fruit option daily
Allison
Allison is a Property Marketing Intern for Rambler College Park. She's a student at the University of Maryland, majoring in Marketing and Management. Her favorite drink to order is a vanilla iced latte!
Published On: June 11, 2026
Last Updated On: August 4, 2026
