Food Allergy-Friendly Colleges

Allergy-Friendly Lawrence University Campus Guide

Lawrence University's dining service staff are all very friendly and willing to work with students on their dietary restrictions and needs! I’ve met with the staff a couple of times and was able to work out the possibility of getting a safe bread for me to make sandwiches in the dining hall! There is a SimplyOasis station free of the top allergens, as well as a gluten-free fridge section that also includes some nut-free/allergy-friendly Enjoy Life products! Their kitchen staff even goes through the FARECheck training.

Location: Appleton, Wisconsin

Allergy-Friendly Campus Guide: Loyola Marymount University

To be honest, my experience at Loyola Marymount University's dining hall were not the best. Thankfully things have improved since I left, but I would still make an effort to meet with the head chef upon move in at the 2 main dining halls. The student run coffee shop is amazing though. Nursing staff on campus are wonderful. If you get allergy shots, try to get on the waitlist the second you enroll! Location: Los Angeles, California  

Campus Guide: Marist College

See Emily's top allergy-friendly picks around the Marist College campus!  

Allergy-Friendly Miami University of Ohio Campus Guide

The Miami University of Ohio dining halls are great, with gluten-free areas and even gluten-free pizza stations! Everything is labeled! Loved my campus and couldn’t imagine being elsewhere when getting my diagnosis!

Location: Oxford, Ohio

Campus Guide: Miami University of Ohio

"Miami has numerous signs and displays at their on-campus dinging halls/restaurants that make students aware that they are allergy friendly." See Harrison's top allergy-friendly picks around the Miami University campus!  

Allergy-Friendly New York University Campus Guide

NYU has a very kind and understanding disability services center. They were very good with housing accommodations and giving me a single for my dorm room.

Location: New York, New York

Allergy-Friendly North Carolina State Campus Guide

I’ve been very impressed with the allergy safety and accommodations NC State has for campus. The dining halls have all food items labeled, provide dairy and gluten free products, use an allergy scoops for ice cream, and similar protocols for on campus restaurants. I feel very comfortable eating on campus while having a severe nut allergy.

Location: Raleigh, North Carolina

Allergy-Friendly Campus Guide: Northeastern University

Northeastern University offers a station at the main dining hall that is free of the top 8 allergens, as well as a dedicated gluten-free toaster, microwave, freezer and bread box. There are definitely options on campus for gluten-free students, however for other allergies it is limited to one section at just one of three dining halls. The Northeastern staff are extremely kind and helpful, though, and when I needed meals delivered to my room for medical needs, they handled everything incredibly well. The chef personally gave me his phone number so I could text him questions about my meals. While the on-campus options aren’t extensive, being in the middle of a large city undoubtedly helps with more options. There are many grocery stores within walking distance and a wide variety of bakeries and restaurants in the city that cater to allergies. The school definitely has options for students with allergies but has room to improve. Location: Boston, Massachusetts  

Campus Guide: Northwestern University

See Jonathon's top allergy-friendly picks around the Northwestern University campus! Location: Evanston, Illinois

Allergy-Friendly Campus Guide: Ohio State University

Ohio State did an amazing job accommodating my allergies! I registered with Disability Services for housing accommodations because I was worried about living in the dorms with someone else who didn’t have allergies. That process really paid off for me in the long run and I highly recommend doing so. Their dining facilities also have a great labeling policy for allergens that are visible and easy to follow. Certain cafeterias even have dedicated gluten free/allergy-friendly sections. I always felt safe eating on campus and had a dining plan all four years! Location: Columbus, Ohio

Allergy-Friendly Rutgers University Campus Guide

I visited Rutgers University for an admitted students event, and was blown away by their dining services. When choosing a college to commit to, food and safety was the number one concern for my family. However, Rutgers seemed to be very proactive and up-to-date on their food allergy policies. During our visit, we got to eat at the Livingston Campus dining hall, claimed to be the students’ top choice for eating at Rutgers. As it was an event day, the chef was right in front to greet everyone and answer questions. He personally led me through the buffet and let me know which foods I could eat. He then informed me that Rutgers uses a system in which students with allergies can electronically submit what they want to eat for the day, and have their meal prepared ahead of time safely. For my experience, the chef got the food items right off of the individual grill stations and kitchens so it wouldn’t be contaminated (which is often the concern for buffet style dining). I love this about Rutgers University.

Location: New Brunswick, New Jersey

Campus Guide: Santa Clara University

Santa Clara University's staff located in Benson Memorial dining facility has made it very easy for me to enjoy food on campus. There are a lot more food-allergy-sensitive food options than I thought there would be before starting school here. Every dining place I have been to on campus has done extremely well at accommodating my needs (Saute, La Parilla, Fresco, California Deli, The Bronco, etc.)!! Location: Santa Clara, California