Food Allergy and Celiac College Student Survey submitted July 2022
Describe your food restrictions by checking all relevant boxes
Peanut Allergy, Soy Allergy, Tree Nut Allergy
Grade your college on feeding students with your food restrictions
A+
Explain your rationale for that grade
We had a dedicated nut and peanut-free cafeteria. In the other cafe, allergens were clearly noted or I could always ask.
Food Service Vendor (if known)
Chartwells
What stage are you in college?
Recent College Graduate
How many years ago were you diagnosed with food allergies or celiac disease?
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.
Peanut- anaphylaxis, avoid tree nuts due to cross-contamination but no formal diagnosis, soy intolerance with digestive issues and throat lump when eaten aside from soybean oil
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 have at least one safe dining hall, but avoid some dining halls, I have sufficient options at some of the dining halls, Ability to eat well was a small part of my college selection process, I assumed they could feed me and didn't think about it before I arrived
Have you had a reaction from eating in your dining hall?
NO
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.
Meal plan required first two years, had meal dollars to use a la crate about $1500/semester
Did you register your food restrictions with your students disabilities office for accommodations? If yes, describe.
Are there resources (nutritionists, chefs, peer support groups) to help ensure you are receiving safe nutritious food? If yes, describe.
Head of dining services was great to work with
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?
Although I feel my own allergy was well covered, I’d imagine that others with different allergies had different experiences.
Describe your biggest challenge with managing your food restrictions at college and how you deal with it
Access to food labels
Did your food restrictions impact your housing decision? How? Is there a certain dorm you recommend for those with food restrictions? Why?
No, although I did live off campus my last two years and would say my ability to select foods I know are safe was better
What's your advice for managing the dining halls with your food restrictions? Favorite dining hall(s)? Any dining halls to avoid?
Don’t eat the sushi!
What's your advice for eating in the dorm with your food restrictions? Favorite snacks? Places that deliver?
Lots of allergy friendly places in Madison
What do you recommend new students with food restrictions do before school starts? Or when they first arrive?
Meet with the director of dining services and talk with them about your allergy. Ask how they can prevent cross contamination and what their procedures are.
What's your advice on managing the party scene with your food restrictions?
Do not share drinks, always carry your epi pen even when it isn’t convenient
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?
Lots of Asian food which I generally stay away from
Anything else you would like to add?
This is a great research idea!