As young adults, many college students are independently buying their food for the first time. What they buy, how, and where they buy food are dependent on a set of factors. One of the factors that influences how students buy food may be practices learned while living at home. Food buying is for the most part a new experience for college students. In order to better serve their customers, food service establishments and food outlets in and around college areas will need information on the food buying habits of students. It is also important to understand the preferred sources of food for college students. This study assesses factors that are important to college students in their food buying practices.