Food Allergy and Celiac College Student Survey submitted April 2021

Describe your food restrictions by checking all relevant boxes

Celiac Disease

Grade your college on feeding students with your food restrictions

B

Explain your rationale for that grade

Not everything is labelled if it's gluten free, but there are a few good options.

What stage are you in college?

Sophomore

How many years ago were you diagnosed with food allergies or celiac disease?

3-5

Please use this space to provide details that would help us better understand your food restrictions. Include your reaction if exposed to the foods you are avoiding. Please mention if you carry an epi-pen.

I'm extremely sensitive to even small traces of gluten cross-contamination in food. My skin reacts when I come into contact with gluten. I generally break out in hives in the contaminated area.

If you indicated that you have celiac disease or are gluten intolerant, how sensitive are you to gluten?

Extremely: React to even small traces

Does your college handle food restrictions as you expected they would when you selected your school?

Mostly what I expected

Check all boxes that apply to your college experience

My school has only a few dining halls, Ability to feed me is fairly consistent across dining halls, I feel safe eating at any dining hall on campus, I have sufficient options at some of the dining halls, Ability to eat well was a critical part of my college selection process

Have you had a reaction from eating in your dining hall?

YES

Describe each incident. How did your school respond?

I saw that they had gluten free pizza with separate sauce and cheese for the GF crust. But, the pizza went into the same oven as the regular pizzas and were cut using a non-GF cutter. I was told that they only had the one pizza oven and I should stay away from it if I will react.

Please describe your meal plan for each year there so far. Include if your school required any of these decisions. If you are eating in a greek house or other club type arrangement include that as well.

Per semester, I have a set number of meals (180 freshman, 200 sophomore) and 250 campus dollars for my meal plan.

Did you register your food restrictions with your students disabilities office for accommodations? If yes, describe.

I don't remember if I specified with our student disabilities office, but I was in constant communication with the dining staff before I started my freshman year and when I first arrived.

Are there resources (nutritionists, chefs, peer support groups) to help ensure you are receiving safe nutritious food? If yes, describe.

Nutritionist on campus. Chef will tell if something is GF if asked.

If you were in charge of your school's dining, what changes would you implement to better feed students with your food restrictions? Would your school be open to these suggestions?

Every food that is cooked or served should be labeled if it's Gluten free, dairy free, egg free, etc.

Describe your biggest challenge with managing your food restrictions at college and how you deal with it

I don't have as many options as the majority of my campus. Some options that are "Gluten Free" are sadly cross-contaminated so I am even more limited.

Did your food restrictions impact your housing decision? How? Is there a certain dorm you recommend for those with food restrictions? Why?

No

What's your advice for managing the dining halls with your food restrictions? Favorite dining hall(s)? Any dining halls to avoid?

My advice is to ask for a chef if you don't know if something is safe.

What's your advice for eating in the dorm with your food restrictions? Favorite snacks? Places that deliver?

There are several great restaurants in the area that have safe gluten free food and will deliver to campus! They include Rustica, Corelife, and Mac&Melts, also Roosevelt field mall

What do you recommend new students with food restrictions do before school starts? Or when they first arrive?

Email dining services to discuss options and ask for a tour of the dining halls when you arrive.

What's your advice on managing the party scene with your food restrictions?

N/A

Grade your college town area for feeding people with your food restrictions

A

Explain your grade. What are your favorite places to eat in town or foodshop?

CORElife is a great place for rice bowls, salads, and soups. Rustica has a ton of gluten free italian options! Mac&Melts has amazing options for gluten free mac and cheese and the workers are always checking to make sure that everything is safe!

Anything else you would like to add?

No