1. Duke University
Location: Durham, North Carolina
“I have greatly appreciated Duke’s sensitivity to my celiac disease. The dining team has been incredibly accommodating at the Marketplace, the on-campus steakhouse, and throughout Wu. The chefs are exceptionally knowledgeable about celiac disease and take the necessary precautions to prevent cross-contamination, ensuring that I can eat safely without concern. I have also met with the dietitian, who provided an extensive and thoughtful guide for navigating dining with celiac disease on campus. Duke has truly created an environment where students with dietary restrictions feel supported and cared for. Overall, Duke is an exceptional place for students with celiac disease and food allergies more broadly, with measures for nut-free allergies further demonstrating its commitment to student safety and inclusion.”
@izzyrozes, who manages celiac
2. Appalachian State University
Location: Boone, North Carolina
“I have had such a positive experience with Campus Dining! The recipes are thoroughly reviewed for accuracy in allergen marking. As someone who has Crohn’s Disease, I avoid dairy and gluten and the allergen markers clearly displayed on the Menu boards are very helpful. When ordering at “made to order” dining options, there is an option with gluten allergies to mark “allergy” versus “preference”, initiating a different protocol to avoid any chance of cross-contact! For someone who has Celiac, speaking with the server directly is best in all access options or if you have any further concerns, nutrition support is available on campus. Any and all concerns can be talked through with an RD! Also—there is an award winning top 9 allergen-free (gluten, dairy, soy, shellfish, fish, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, eggs) food station in Rivers Street Dining Hall; Savor. It provides fresh bowl options like açaí in the mornings, rice bowls and salads at lunch, and a variety of options for dinner!”
@speaseka, who manages milk, wheat, and fruit allergies
3. Fairfield University
Location: Fairfield, Connecticut
“I really like Fairfield University’s allergen program. They have a whole station dedicated to food that is free of the 9 + major allergies and they are very educated on what is in the food they make and how they used replacement products in their food. They have a wide range of options with new foods every day! Aside from the allergy station itself, all the monitors in the dining areas show if a product is gluten-free, dairy-free, etc. Food was an important component for where I went to college and Fairfield strongly fits that category. They even have a separate room for individuals with allergies to pick out from an assortment of food to make themselves along with snacks and desserts. I truly appreciate it and look forward to dining with Fairfield for the rest of my experience here.”
@alecesk, who manages peanut, tree nut, milk, egg, sesame, and chocolate allergies
4. George Mason
Location: Fairfax, Virginia
“I’ve enjoyed that all the dining halls have the ingredients on the menus and menu app so I can see if there’s something I need to avoid that day. I’ve also appreciated having an allergy friendly grab and go space that makes it easy for me to also have protein that day.”
@bellafasone, who manages celiac and tree nut, wheat, fruit, and vegetable allergies
5. Villanova University
Location: Villanova, Pennsylvania
“Villanova’s dining halls stand out because of their well-educated staff who are trained in food safety, nutrition, and dietary accommodations. They prioritize student health by maintaining high sanitation standards and providing fresh nutritious meals that support overall well being. Safety is a major focus, with clear food labeling, designated allergy-free stations, and strict precautions to prevent cross-contamination. The dining service also has comprehensive allergy policy offering gluten-free, nut-free, and other special dietary options to ensure all students can eat safely. Additionally, Villanova dining halls cater to individual needs providing vegetarian and vegan options while remaining open to student feedback.”
@firehill, who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
6. Cornell University
Location: Ithaca, New York
“I never felt worried walking into the dining hall. All the foods were clearly labeled containing each allergen (and potential dietary restriction for religious needs). This made me feel safe knowing I would be informed of what I was consuming. If I wanted further clarification, the chefs would have the ingredients with them to show the labels. I never had an incident in my time in the dining halls! The places to eat on campus followed the same policy.”
@hancho321, who manages peanut, tree nut, and soy allergies
7. University of Michigan
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
“I am currently a freshman at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor Campus. Overall, I have had a very positive experience dealing with my food allergies while being here. First and foremost, the school was very helpful in setting me up for success before I even stepped foot on campus as a student. When I toured my during my sophomore year of high school, I met with one of the campus dietitians, Kathryn Whiteside, to tour one of the dining halls, learn about allergy protocols, and ask all of mine (and my parents’) burning questions. Once I applied and was accepted into the school, I began my journey with housing. Though it was a long journey of getting medical records filed and disability accommodations done, I wound up being able to transfer from my original housing location to one that was better suited for my needs. Then, I scheduled a meeting for move-in weekend with another campus dietitian to walk through what would be my main dining hall and meet the chefs, ask some more questions, and really get a feel for what my day-to-day life was going to look like eating there. During this meeting, I learned that there are some products in the dining hall that I won’t be able to eat (like the burger buns and sandwich bread) because of my allergens, so I learned how to navigate that as well. For me, that looks like asking the staff behind the counter to give me a burger patty, or sandwich fillings, without the bread due to my allergens, and they are always very kind and considerate about it. All of the stands have allergen menu cards, but more in-depth nutritional information can be found on the dining website for every station at every dining hall each day. Plus, all dining halls on campus have stock epinephrine, so I have always felt safe going to eat. The stadiums on campus do have a ban on all bags entering, however there is a medical exemption process that you can go through to bring your Epi-Pens and other medical supplies into the stadium. All of the food vendors in the stadiums also have QR codes to scan for allergens on all products. Overall, I have had an extremely positive experience at the University of Michigan, and have never felt as though my allergies made it impossible for me to get the full college experience.”
@inanotshell, who manages peanut, tree nut, mustard, sesame, and legume allergies
8. Northwestern University
Location: Evanston, Illinois
“I attended Northwestern University and I am allergic to eggs, dairy, wheat, nuts, and shellfish. A few dining halls on campus offered an entire station that was completely free of Top 8 allergens. Each meal is well balanced, and students have the option to choose salads and other side dishes in addition to the main course offered. Students are given plates specifically from behind the station and staff will not serve allergen-free food onto contaminated plates. The staff are warm, careful and really made me feel like family!”
@kourtneysk203, who manages celiac and tree nut, milk, egg, wheat, and shellfish allergies
9. Michigan State University
Location: East Lansing, Michigan
“I loved MSU so much for my undergrad, I am staying an extra year to get my master’s degree. MSU has 9 dining halls, 4 of which are considered “nut-conscious”, and one which is free of the top 8 allergens and is sesame-conscious and gluten-free. All dining hall staff is trained and knowledgeable about food prep, allergies, and cross-contact. They are always happy to answer questions – I am on a first-name basis with the chef in the allergen-friendly dining hall and the campus dietitians. Additionally, allergen information is clearly labeled in all dining hall menu signs and on the culinary services website. I chose MSU largely due to their award-winning culinary services program and accommodations for people with food allergies.”
@msb17, who manages peanut, tree nut, soy, shellfish, seed, and legume allergies
10. Vanderbilt University
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
“All of the Vanderbilt dining halls are completely nut-free. There are a few cafés on campus that do have nuts, but they are very aware of allergies. If you have a limited option of foods, Vanderbilt provides a service on their dining app in which you can order almost any food ahead of time and have it ready for you when you arrive in the dining hall. They make the food especially for you to fit your needs.”
@brookeblumberg, who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
11. University of Wisconsin – Madison
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
“The university offers a lot of support for food allergies, which has been great for me. Last year I lived in the dorms and ate at the dining halls. All of the food is labeled with icons showing the 11 allergens (peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, eggs, shellfish, fish, wheat, corn, soy, coconut, and sesame). They also have an icon showing that a product is made on shared equipment or in a facility with a certain allergen. At most of the dining halls, students are not allowed to serve themselves which limits cross-contamination. I have been eating at the dining halls on campus now for over 8 months. Everything is labeled in the dining halls! 1/6 dining halls is even specialized for allergen-friendly (and they serve ice cream that is made on campus at that one)! Students can meet with a nutritionist if they want a more specialized meal plan, however I feel completely comfortable as there have been no nuts since I have been here (in all 6 of the dining halls). However, the salad bar is fully self serve, and I occasionally saw eggs and cheese in the bins where other ingredients were. There is one dining hall (Liz’s Market) that does not use any nuts or fish/shellfish, although, I never encountered peanuts or tree nuts at any dining hall on campus. Thankfully, I have never had an allergic reaction on campus. This year I live in an apartment which has not been an issue at all. The campus also has University Health Services (UHS) that is solely responsible for student safety and health. The university also provides McBurney Disability Resource Center which can provide any accommodations when necessary. I have friends who are celiac who had a nutritionist last year through the school and they would work with the dining halls to make safe options for them. Here is more information: https://www.housing.wisc.edu/dining/nutrition/ Also, in classes, there have been times where professors have wanted to bring food into class, but they have always sent out a google form in advance asking about students’ allergies. I am very happy and safe here! I love UW-Madison! I have found that there are so many resources for me on campus and the surrounding areas that I am able to truly enjoy my college experience and not worry about my allergies 24/7. This has also been a huge relief for my parents!”
@hanlr, who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
12. Syracuse University
Location: Syracuse, New York
“Overall, Syracuse has been fantastic at accommodating my needs over this past year. I have never had any issue with getting gluten or cross-contamination. The staff is great about safety as well as preparing food that is actually good. If you have celiac and are on the college search, I would truly recommend Syracuse!!”
@maddyydoug, who manages celiac
13. Washington University in St. Louis
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
“WashU has been so great with food allergies! Every item (entrees, sides, pastries, etc) is labeled with the major allergens and the DUC and the village both have an allergen kitchen where food is prepared safely. You can preorder this allergen-free food from back kitchen and the staff is very helpful. No open tree nuts are allowed and prepackaged food with nuts always have a sticker on them. Another super helpful thing is the new Top 8 Friendly stations at every dining hall that serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner that are all free of the top 8 allergens. The food marts at the village and Paws&Go both have so many snacks from verified brands such as Enjoy Life and 88Acres that any student can purchase. The nutritionist who helps students with food allergies, Rebecca Miller, guided me through how to navigate WashU’s dining system and gave me tips on how to manage my food allergies at college.”
@morganromo, who manages tree nut, milk, and seed allergies
14. University of Massachusetts Amherst
Location: Amherst, Massachusetts
“This university just won #1 “Best Campus Food” in the United States for the SEVENTH year in a row…if that doesn’t blow your mind I don’t know what will! Amherst has four dining halls and countless retail/on-campus affiliated dining spots like Starbucks (my favorite hehe). There is always something new to eat, even with my peanut and tree nut allergies—I’m never getting tired of the options I have! There’s also a designated Top-9 safe station where you MUST use a new plate and a staff member serves you (no risk of cross-contact!) One worry I always have though is cross-contamination when trying to get food at other stations in the dining halls. For example, aside from the previously mentioned Top 9 station, all other stations (ie stir fry, latin, tandoor) are serve yourself/buffet style—which always poses risks of students cross-contaminating with dirty/shared utensils or dish ware. However, I would ultimately rate this school higher than others I’ve been to/exchanged at. I’m in my last year here and have never had an allergic reaction at the dining halls so that is a huge win!”
@barelyreactive, who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
15. Elon University
Location: Elon, North Carolina
“Lakeside Dining Hall has a top 9 allergen-free section; Still let them know you have allergies if you eat there. The staff is trained but sometimes you read to remind them about the precautions they need to take and they will go above and beyond to ensure you’re safe.”
@caitlinaronson, who manages celiac and a milk allergy
16. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Location: Champaign, Illinois
“Illinois makes it very easy to use their app and see the allergens in all foods served on campus. Each dining hall also has labeled allergens and provides a lot of safe options.”
@kimsch, who manages peanut, tree nut, and sesame allergies
17. Marquette University
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
“Marquette University has been great at helping students like myself with their dining needs. It is great to see all the ways that they can help me eat safely both on and off of campus. With simple servings as well as the dietitian, I feel that I have many great sources that I can go to for any concerns. “
@tylerarnett, who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
18. University of Denver
Location: Denver, Colorado
“I love it here. While the dining hall is not 100% but free, there are labels for every single dish at each meal, and I have yet to see nuts in anything besides an occasional dessert. We have a top nine allergen-free station that has great food every day! I think the Stir Fry or sandwich stations are my favorite. The school is clean, safe, and a wonderful place to attend! Plus, it’s beautiful!”
@natalie, who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
19. Rochester Institute of Technology
Location: Rochester, New York
“Our family visited RIT for an info session and tour. A week ahead of our visit we contacted the dietitian and coordinated a safe meal and dining hall tour. The dietitian was very knowledgeable about allergen safe meals and shared their protocols. I was impressed with the level of attention to my son’s needs, which was clear prior to our visit and during a 30-minute thorough meeting prior to his meal. My son was given several options for his meal and decided on a safe hamburger on a roll (which my son loved: a new roll brand for us – Little Northern Bakehouse) and sweet potato fries. The lead chef for allergy meals has a food allergic child himself and goes to the utmost level to prepare interesting and safe meals for allergic students. They offer a top8free station (includes soy) for students and is located in a beautiful new dining hall, Gracie’s, that is bright and spacious – and right next to the freshman dorms (Gracie’s is a peanut & tree nut-free facility). They keep allergy-friendly desserts in the back of the kitchen; the dietitian is not comfortable with all students having access to allergy-friendly grab-and-go items, to prevent cross-contact. Allergy students have the option to take meals to go, and are encouraged to order extra meals for pickup to make their lives on campus easier to manage. The dietitian and dining staff clearly have the allergy student needs in mind and it showed. It was a great visit”
@jflannery, who manages peanut, tree nut, milk, egg, soy, fish, shellfish, wheat, seeds, fruit, grain, and legume allergies
20. University of Maryland
Location: College Park, Maryland
“University of Maryland had a large, super clean cafeteria with a dedicated station for gluten-free food. The options provided there were the close, if not the same as what was provided for non-gluten-free options. Felt very comfortable eating there with the dedicated station and staff was helpful.”
@xmaxcy53, who manages celiac
21. Boston University
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
“My brother recently went to a summer program at BU and he has the same severe food allergies as me. I wanted to share his great experience on here. The dietitian and dining services were great with his allergies. They have a special meal ordering service which allowed him to put what he wanted to eat (down to what seasoning he wanted in the foods), along with his allergies. They gave him access to an allergy pantry as well. Overall he said they did a great job with keeping him safe!”
@catherinewalker, who manages peanut, milk, tree nuts, and egg
22. New York University
Location: New York, New York
“We toured this school and asked about their ability to accommodate celiac and food allergies. They have a top 9 station with gluten-free options in every dining hall. Our tour guide’s roommate has a peanut allergy and he has felt safe the 3 years he has been there. I also spoke with a woman at the admissions hall who happened to be alumni—her roommate of 4 years had celiac and always had tons of options to eat. She said they have gluten-free pantries and special toasters, all of the menus are available ahead of time online so you can choose where/what to eat. She made us feel really good about their ability to accommodate celiac. They also have dorms with kitchens as well as regular dorms.”
@thedyercrew, who is a caregiver of celiac and tree nut and egg allergies
23. Stanford University
Location: Stanford, California
“During the academic year, it is so easy eating on campus! Great café options, nut-free dining halls, nutritionists for students and separate pantries”
@nutfreefun, who manages peanut and tree nut
24. The University of Arizona
Location: Tucson, Arizona
“Having celiac disease, I was honestly nervous about finding safe food on campus, but the University of Arizona ended up having some really solid options. The main dining hall does offer gluten-free choices, but it wouldn’t be my first stop. Core+ in the Global Center was definitely my go to. Core+ is completely gluten-free, which was such a relief because I never had to second-guess anything. You have to fill out a form of what you would like and all the ingredients are listed out for you. The Global Center is with clearly labeled gluten-free meals, and the staff there is super careful and knowledgeable. On Deck Deli was another favorite which is in the main dining hall. They have a specific celiac-safe prep area with different gloves, separate toasters, and their own space for sandwiches and bagels. They make it CLEAR, it’s for allergies only. And honestly, anytime I wasn’t sure about an ingredient or needed help, everyone working was always willing to answer questions or double-check things for me. Overall, UofA has some good options and now that I am a junior, I can confidently say I feel comfortable eating on campus.”
@vtopinka, who manages celiac
25. Rowan University
Location: Glassboro, New Jersey
“My peanut allergic child was able to meet with the head dietitian in his freshman year, she directed him to safe dining options, which included a dining station free of the top 8 allergens. Many of the restaurants on campus are very helpful and accommodating as well. He frequented La Scala and Chickee and Pete’s for his whole four years there”
@ryansallergies, who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
26. Juniata College
Location: Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
“Great staff that went above and beyond to help me find safe choices—even to the point of making special desserts for me so I could try safe versions of foods like crème brûlée for the very first time!”
@jd3at, who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
27. Tufts University
Location: Medford, Massachusetts
“I am a first year student here with celiac. Carmichael is entirely gluten and nut-free. I’ve been eating there mostly and have had no issues, love the food and variety. Dewick has no food restrictions but has dietary options like the top 9 section. Hodge is the other place I eat at. It’s a to-go system with a ton of options. Love Tufts dining 11/10”
@lbd10, who manages celiac
28. The University of Chicago
Location: Chicago, Illinois
“Waitstaff was quick to provide gluten-free options and were attentive in asking questions about additional allergens.”
@esteckel, who manages celiac and milk, soy, shellfish, and legume allergies
29. Miami University
Location: Oxford, Ohio
“The 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!”
@rootintootingf, who manages celiac
30. Boston College
Location: Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
“I did a two week summer program here and the staff at the dining hall were very accommodating. When I asked for a sub, they took unopened ingredients from the back and made it fresh. They did the same with everything else. I was very satisfied and I felt safe.”
@therealolivier, who manages peanut, tree nut, milk, and egg allergies
31. University of Southern California
Location: Los Angeles, California
“USC accommodates food allergies very well, but it is definitely something you have to search for. When getting to school in August, I felt lost in the dining halls and on-campus cafés because the staff working does not usually know the ingredients in the food. I reached out to an on-campus nutritionist and that is where I began to feel safe eating at USC. She gave me a breakdown of what foods to avoid, and answered all of my specific questions. For example, I wanted to find safe protein options on campus that were tree nut and mustard-free, and she sent me the ingredients in every protein at one of USC’s dining options called Seeds. At USC, we also have a dining hall with Panda Express, a Mexican food station, pizza, and smoothies where students use dining dollars. It is very intimidating as a person with food allergies because you have to order on an iPad and can’t tell them dietary restrictions. The nutritionist informed me that the smoothie stand is very small and cross-contamination is almost inevitable, and told me to absolutely avoid it. She also informed me that there are no nuts at the taco place so I felt confident eating there. Overall, USC accommodates for food allergies, but to get sufficient help, you need to be proactive.”
@mallorysorkin, who manages tree nut and mustard allergies
32. Georgetown University
Location: Washington, District of Columbia
“I attended Georgetown University from 2018 to 2022, and I absolutely loved my experience in DC. During my time there, I collaborated closely with Dining Services and the Office of Disability Services to secure medically necessary accommodations for my food allergies. As a freshman, this meant access to a single room; by sophomore year, I was approved for an on-campus apartment with a kitchen, which allowed me to safely prepare my own meals—something that was especially important as a Division I athlete. While I did eat in the dining hall and generally felt safe, having a private kitchen significantly improved my quality of life and sense of independence. Georgetown’s dining hall includes an allergy-friendly station, but if your allergens fall outside the top nine, the options there may not be fully safe. I navigated the dining hall by selecting carefully from various stations, though I avoided the upstairs restaurant-style areas. I also occasionally grabbed coffee from on-campus shops. One of the best aspects of attending Georgetown is its location—Washington, D.C. offers a wide range of allergy-friendly restaurants and grocery stores, which made living with food allergies much more manageable. My overall experience at Georgetown was incredibly positive, and I truly can’t recommend the school enough. College with food allergies presents real challenges, but it is absolutely possible to have a safe, empowering, and transformational experience.”
@alladvocatemph, who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
33. The Ohio State University
Location: Columbus, Ohio
“Overall, Ohio state provides various places and dining halls to eat on campus. You can order through grub hub or in person to make and allergy note. All menus in person show the main allergens that each food contains. In addition, you can go on their website OSU dining to look further into the ingredients and nutrition at each dining location. Two of the dining halls include a gluten-free station, and one being tree nut-free. Only the dessert are made in separate facilities that many contain nuts, but the dining halls do not have nuts with the exception of occasional coconut. If you notified the staff of your allergy or make a note on grub hub, the staff has to follow an allergy safe protocol and prepares food in a separate location to prevent cross-contamination. The Ohio State University provides many safe alternative for students with food allergies and has many different available options of dining and food.”
@maddyeats, who manages a tree nut allergy
34. College of the Holy Cross
Location: Worcester, Massachusetts
“Holy Cross has its own allergy kitchen in the dining hall where students with allergies can store safe snacks. It also has its own toaster area for those with celiac. Cool Beans (the coffee shop) has a place when ordering to mark your allergies! Very helpful! Their head of dining services is very knowledgeable and great about protocols for the dining hall. There are some improvements that could be made to the other on campus dining areas in terms of training and separation of prep. It’s come a long way and I can see the investments continuing.”
@laurenliz12, who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
35. The University of Utah
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
“I’ve only had food at student events and every time, the food has been clearly labeled. It was buffet style, but for the most part, I felt safe eating the food.”
@kstatesis2015, who manages celiac and milk and wheat allergies
36. Smith College
Location: Northampton, Massachusetts
“As a Smith alumnae it was wonderful to be back on campus with my family for reunion and see such inclusive dining options! Each menu item was labeled clearly with allergen info from the campus café to the dining halls and buffet stations throughout the campus. I would feel very confident sending my child here knowing that Smith’s educated dining staff and wonderful health services provide a safe and supportive environment. Well done, Smithies!”
@ekmwarren, who manages an egg allergy
37. Emerson College
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
“New Emerson parent here- and we are loving it for our PN/TN kid. The disability office is super helpful and thorough and every department has been a delight to work with- housing, wellness, and food services/dining. The food service team is phenomenal. Not only did we zoom w them over the summer to prepare, but they met with us in person when we arrived to campus- gave a tour and introduced my son to the various stations are areas. There’s an Oasis Station free of top 9, by also they don’t use PN/TN in any prepared food. They guided my son to not use the bread/bagel station as they don’t make those in house, and he’s happy to avoid. Beyond that station there are at least 5 other stations within the dining hall that are safe for him. Being a small school (~4000 students) you can feel the personal connection and their dedication to making food safe and accessible and delicious for the kids. I was blown away (and frankly a little teary from relief & joy!). My son texted me a photo of his first meal and he was so excited. As mentioned, disability & housing were also phenomenal- my son ended up deciding to go with a roommate match but we have submitted all paperwork for a medical single should it be needed. And the wellness center folks were supportive and very welcoming. Emerson is 11 stars out of 10 for food-allergy friendliness!”
@larahitchcock, who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
38. Tulane University
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
“I had an amazing experience at Tulane! I ate so many times at the Hillel which had some of my allergens and they were always so careful and considerate. The dining hall has a specific area without major allergens that are always safe. I loved my time at Tulane and highly recommend !”
@izzytri12, who manages tree nut, fish, and sesame allergies
39. University of Georgia
Location: Athens, Georgia
“I was very scared before college about what I would eat, but UGA has just blown me away. Never in my life have it been so easy to walk into the same place as my friends and eat with them, regardless of the dining hall. Georgia uses Nutrislice where it tells everyone what is being served at the dining hall that day. You can insert your food allergies, and then it highlights in yellow what you can eat from what is being served that day. You can also look ahead several days, and read the ingredients on each food item. This has been by far one of the most helpful tools for my freshman year navigating my food allergies. The dietitian, Dr. Katherine Ingerson, is so kind and gave me numerous food allergy tours in which she took me to each station and told me what I could and couldn’t eat — and what to stay away from, such as the Bolton grill (where everything in made on a shared grill with the cheese and stuff!). I get to eat so much stuff! You have to go through her to gain access to the gluten-free pantry, where there is gluten-free bread of course, but also oatmeal, brownies, cookies, Mac and cheese, and more. Most of the snacks I can’t eat because they contain egg and milk, but are very helpful to those who are just gluten-free. They are very strict about the pantry which I like — such as you can’t bring a friend in, and no outside food inside. They will yell! My favorite is the gluten-free waffles. Overall I have had a great experience and I am so grateful for a school that accommodates me so well!!”
@samisafeeats, who manages peanut, tree nut, milk, egg, wheat, and shellfish allergies
40. Purdue University
Location: West Lafayette, Indiana
“Purdue has a system for their dinings halls where there is a certain app that shows every ingredient in any food. This is extremely helpful with someone not only with good allergies, but who wants to know the exact calorie count in a meal or how much nutrition you are getting. I think that Purdue is very allergen-friendly!”
@riyamiglani, who manages peanut, tree nut, and shellfish allergies
41. Brown University
Location: Providence, Rhode Island
“They recently opened a new kitchen at the main dining hall that’s top 9 allergen-free. They also don’t use peanuts or tree nuts in any of their dining offerings”
@evon, who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
42. American University
Location: Washington, District of Columbia
“American University has been very helpful on campus with ensuring I have safe access to food options. Although the accommodation process is extensive, they have been helpful ensuring I have had my needs met in DC”
@lucinoel, who manages peanut, tree nut, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, seeds, fruit, meat, and chocolate allergies
43. University of Notre Dame
Location: Notre Dame, Indiana
“There are special nut-free and gluten-free sections in all dining halls to accommodate allergies. Other places to eat on campus also have safe dining options. All staff is very sensitive and proactive! An overall great community and safe place to go with allergies”
@reganh, who manages celiac and milk and egg allergies
44. William & Mary
Location: Williamsburg, Virginia
“I am a current W&M Junior and I absolutely love the dining hall’s safe options! They have a concierge service for rare/specific allergens that need to be accommodated, where a student can text the hotline and be served food prepped separately based on their individual needs! For gluten-free folks, there also are options off campus that are safe, such as grilled items at Chick-fil-ia, and other local restaurants like Aromas! Overall, W&M is a very accommodating environment and I couldn’t recommend it more as someone with life-threatening allergies!”
@caroline27, who manages peanut, tree nut, wheat, and legume allergies
45. University of North Florida
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
“Absolutely loved going here and eating on campus! I always felt safe and the staff would always walk through everything with me to confirm.”
@brooklinbrite, who manages peanut, tree nut, and sesame allergies
46. Bradley University
Location: Peoria, Illinois
“Bradley has so many dining options! Their cafeterias include gluten-free and “better for you” sections, and their POD convenience stores offer specialty grocery items for food allergies and diets! Also their health services are completely free if anything should ever come up”
@sarahaviva, who manages a fruit allergy
47. Emory University
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
“My experience with the Emory dining hall has been pretty positive. In my first week freshman year, I spoke with Emory’s dietitian to discuss how the dining hall handles food allergies. They are peanut and tree nut-free. I was happy to learn this information, but I still had to avoid sesame in the dining hall. At every food station there is a menu that lists some of the main ingredients, and I was informed that they would list sesame if it was included in the dish. Now when I go to the dining hall, I always check to make sure the dish doesn’t have sesame. I avoid the toaster and all breads due to cross-contamination. However, they are not the most accommodating. There are to go options for sandwiches and they all contain sesame (except for the gluten-free bread). Overall, I have eaten safely in the dining hall at Emory, but my options are more limited given that I have to avoid sesame.”
@elyssa17, who manages tree nut, sesame, and fruit allergies
48. Merrimack College
Location: North Andover, Massachusetts
“Had a dedicated area for students with food allergies where safe foods were kept. All food served in the cafeteria had a sign next to it stating the ingredients and allergy information.”
@ckr16, who manages peanut, tree nut, and soy allergies
49. College of Charleston
Location: Charleston, South Carolina
“There are 3 dining hall options on campus. The main dining hall has an allergen-free section (that has a very limited selection) and a gluten-free bread section. The staff is not educated on allergen needs/ ingredients so eating at the dining hall freshman year was difficult. However there is a dining option called Marty’s Place that has more health conscious options that was easily accommodating to my allergy that I ate at often!”
@natchick, who manages a peanut allergy
50. Grinnell College
Location: Grinnell, Iowa
“Just toured here!! Next to every counter and food item there was a card listing the top 8 allergens it contained (if any.) Additionally there were separate gluten-free and vegan counters with many different options”
@harp.o, who manages a milk allergy
51. Skidmore College
Location: Saratoga Springs, New York
“I attended Skidmore College and the staff was absolutely incredible. During my freshman year, I was on a restricted 10 food diet while investigating EoE + anaphylaxis and the dining staff custom prepared every meal for me so that I could “be normal” and eat with friends in the dining hall. I was able to request meals and they were stored in a separate test kitchen to prevent contamination. They were exceptional. In my second year, the college enabled me to move into upper classmen housing with a kitchen and select friends to move in with so that I could also have a kitchen.”
@lbernstein12, who manages peanut, tree nut, milk, egg, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish, sesame, and fruit allergies
52. Oberlin College
Location: Oberlin, Ohio
“Oberlin College has a wonderful top 9 free dedicated cafeteria called Clarity right on campus. Food is amazing. Will accommodate top 9 allergens as well vegan, gluten-free and vegetarian options. Staff is wonderful, informed and dedicated to safety. For example, to prevent cross-contamination, students cannot bring dirty plates or utensils anywhere near the kitchen/serving area. Only drawback is they don’t serve breakfast. Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.”
@kcec, who manages peanut, tree nut, milk, and egg allergies
53. Muhlenberg College
Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania
“Everything is labeled really well. From a nut allergy POV there was only nuts in the baked goods which are wrapped (but I had no problem finding a safe treat!!). They also have a top allergy safe area and are really good with religious food accommodations.”
@queenofharps, who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
54. St. Mary’s College of California
Location: Moraga, California
“On my initial visit to Saint Marys, the head chef came out and met me, taking me through all the gluten-free options. Throughout my time there they created a separate area just for those with gluten allergies. This area included a separate toaster, gluten-free bread and cereal and a clean area to prepare all the food. Each regular dish that is cooked also has an ingredients list presented with it and uses symbols to signify if the meal was gluten-free, vegan etc.”
@carlyturner, who manages celiac
55. Pitzer College
Location: Claremont, California
“Pitzer is great for students with food allergies! They work really hard to create personal relationships with students and help you find safe options at the dining hall. Even though I’m a student at Scripps, I was still able to meet with the manager at the beginning of the school year and discuss my food allergies! While they definitely don’t have a nut-free dining hall, what they do is if you have food allergies, you can ask for the manager every time you go to the dining hall and they will pull food from the back to prevent cross-contamination. They don’t label for allergens though which was kind of difficult for me at first, but after talking to the head of the dining hall I was able to know what was safe and what wasn’t. They also have the smallest dining hall of all the Claremont Colleges, so definitely not my first choice (the bread station that has open containers of peanut butter and almond butter is avoidable but so messy and sort of in the middle of everything) However, I was told they never cook anything with nuts, but just have nuts throughout the dining hall as add in options (by ice cream, in the salad bar, etc). I feel like because of this some of the other dining options at the Claremont Colleges are definitely better for food allergies, but Pitzer is still a decent option.”
@emsnutfreeeats, who manages celiac and peanut and tree nut allergies
56. Wheaton College
Location: Norton, Massachusetts
“I’m going to be a senior here this upcoming 2022-2023 year. I’ve had some really great experiences dining here. The lower campus dining hall is 100% nut-free except for a jar of peanut butter by the toast station. However they maintain that so it doesn’t become an issue for allergy students. They have a dining line called true balance that is top 8 friendly. I’ve had some problems eating there as it doesn’t cover my chickpea or legume allergies as well as some staff having issues with cross-contamination. However, I brought that all up with the dining staff and one of the dining staff has really crafted such a good experience here for me. She is super accommodating with all my allergies and my super crazy schedule. She has also never has made me feel unsafe about what I’m eating. She also puts so much time and effort into each meal I eat and get excited when I tell her about alternative brands that are safe for me – she ends up using them in her recipes. When I started college I was terrified about finding somewhere that would work for my major as well as my safety with eating. I’m definitely going to miss being here next year because of her and how she handles everyone with allergies. She’s been amazing she’s almost like a second mom away from home for me!”
@sdrouin, who manages peanut, tree nut, milk, egg, soy, fruit, grain, legume, and seed allergies
57. Washington and Lee University
Location: Lexington, Virginia
“Washington and Lee provides symbols on all prepared foods, which makes it simple to go through the line and check if something is safe. They have an allergy friendly counter in the dining hall that has a few snacks, gluten-free pasta, and they always have a great salad bar. I will say it is more limited options for those who are gluten and soy free, but I am working with dining and they are eager to accommodate all students and are adding more options.”
@parkersparkss, who manages celiac and peanut, tree nut, and soy allergies
58. University of Washington
Location: Seattle, Washington
“UW has a dedicated top 10 allergy-free section in their north campus dining hall that makes food from Sunday night – Friday lunch every week. I never had a problem finding something to eat there! They also have many allergy friendly options in their multitude of on-campus markets! Each dormitory on campus has a private kitchen that only students who have this certain allergies will be allowed in. Very helpful staff that helped me understand what I could eat there and helped make sure I got a safe living situation”
@saya, who manages peanut, tree nut, milk, egg, wheat, fish, shellfish, sesame, lamb, beef, and bison allergies
59. Auburn University
Location: Auburn, Alabama
“In three of the dining halls there are allergy stations called True Balance which serve meals free from the top 8 food allergens!! My go to place to eat for dinner! There is also a Panera, au bon pain, Starbucks, NYC gyro food truck, and Amsterdam taco truck on campus! I find I can eat at all these places with no worries about allergens!”
@liarw, who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
60. Vassar College
Location: Poughkeepsie, New York
“The main dining hall is completely peanut-free. The dining hall also has a section (the Oasis) that only serves food free of the top 8 allergens.”
@food12223, who manages a peanut allergy
61. Johns Hopkins University
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
“The main café/dining area has lots of prepared food which have cross-contamination signs! They sell packaged allergy friendly foods too- the Dave’s brownies are my go to!! Staff are knowledgeable about nut syrups in coffee drinks too!”
@yaelkara, who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
62. Dartmouth College
Location: Hanover, New Hampshire
“So as part of our northeast college tour today we were in Dartmouth. I’ll start off by saying that their online information is fantastic. Clearly goes over their allergy policies and specific A9 station located in the 53 Commons Dining Hall. I called ahead of time and spoke with the nutritionist who was so nice and educated on all their policies. She said A9 is free of top 9 allergens. Their other stations will clearly label with a monitor out front. When we got there we paid for four dinners and went directly to A9. For dinner they had a roast pork, green beans, and sweet potato. They also had salad and fruit cups. Went around to some other stations who clearly had labeled their allergens on a monitor. For us a plus that they labeled coconut separately. Their sandwich station used Pepperidge farm bread which is a brand we feel comfortable with. We did also eat from a station that had burgers and chicken nuggets and another pizza one. A few stations did have shellfish so we skipped over concern for cross-contamination. I honestly didn’t see any nuts besides coconut at any of the other stations. I spoke with a manager there who showed me a gluten-free fridge with items and we were able to take a Katz lemon filled crème cupcake for dessert. Overall fantastic experience and feel like I would have enough variety to eat from if I end up coming to Dartmouth.”
@aliciavm, who manages peanut, tree nut, and shellfish allergies
63. Illinois State University
Location: Normal, Illinois
“The head of Food Service and Dining was very attentive and assured my daughter that she could call or visit her office every day to check the safety of any food on the menu. She was amazing! And, my daughter loved the food at ISU. She said it tasted homemade. The weekly menu is available on an app and lists all allergens a meal may contain. I would highly recommend ISU to other allergic students.”
@rzn3grlz, who manages peanut, tree nut, and sesame allergies
64. Fordham University Lincoln Center
Location: New York, New York
“The Community Dining Hall at Fordham University has many options for those with allergies and Celiac disease. All items, like this yogurt buffet, are marked whether there are any allergens in them (or a lack of allergens in them). For those looking for menu items with less cross, Fordham has a True Balance dining location within the cafeteria. True Balance’s offerings are free of common allergens like egg, milk, gluten, peanut, tree nut, and wheat. The full list is here: https://fordham.campusdish.com/en/healthandwellness/foodallergiesspecialdiets/. There is also a dedicated gluten-free fridge within the dining center and for dessert Fordham offers Sweet Loren’s cookies.”
@aarmour2, who manages celiac
65. Oklahoma State University
Location: Stillwater, Oklahoma
“First responders on campus are trained to administer epi. Student services have clear process to begin accommodation plans. Knowledgeable dietitian helps lead through the dining hall system”
@foodallergymomkc, who manages peanut and milk allergies
66. Columbia University
Location: New York, New York
“All food is labeled with major allergens. Feel safe, especially in John Jay and JJ’s, where labels are visible and clear.”
@rwachen, who manages a milk allergy
67. University of South Carolina
Location: Columbia, South Carolina
“USC has dietitians that can help you find allergy safe options on campus! They also have a dedicated station called TrueBalance in some of the dining halls that is free from the top 9 allergens, and the food is made to order so you can inform staff of your allergen. They were very accommodating with my meal plan freshman year, allowing me to alter it for what worked better with my dietary/allergen needs.”
@madward, who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
68. Loyola University Maryland
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
“I went here for undergrad with a nut allergy and never worried about going to the dining hall. The food was mostly labeled and if it wasn’t, the staff was quick to check if any food contained nuts. Would avoid desserts but felt overall safe here!”
@lauramarques, who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
69. Brigham Young University
Location: Provo, Utah
“The Choices restaurant in the Cougareat is fantastic and had lots of safe gluten-free options.”
@rantipoler, who manages celiac
70. University of Miami
Location: Coral Gables, Florida
“I just committed to this college and could not be more excited!!! I am just starting the process of dorms and food. I was super nervous about being able to eat at college with egg and nut allergies. Therefore, I reached out to the dining service to see if we could discuss my allergies. We have already planned to meet the first day of school and they made me feel so safe on the phone saying she will point everything out to me every day of what I can eat and what I can’t. There are even vegan gluten-free and options for people who want a healthier diet!”
@delaneybrody, who manages peanut, tree nut, and egg allergies
71. Penn State University
Location: University Park, Pennsylvania
“My dining hall experience at Penn State has been amazing so far. Almost every day my freshman year, I ate at the “Pure” station in the dining hall. They are Top 9 Allergen certified and Kosher, as well as have a completely separate kitchen. It was so nice to feel safe eating while away from home. In addition, at the other dining halls, you can order ahead of time if you reported your allergy to the dining services. This is done through their app. They bring out your food with your name, all packaged up and delivered by a chef. In addition, they have all the allergen icons and a great ingredients system online for each menu item. Finally, there are a bunch of stations throughout the dining commons, such as salad bars, pizza and pasta bars, and MTO sandwich stations. These have allowed me more freedom to eat when the main buffet contains one of my allergens. Plus, all the staff members are so nice! Recommend Penn State to everyone with allergies.”
@rf7, who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
72. Wake Forest University
Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
“Wake Forest University’s main dining hall “The Pit” is entirely peanut-free, which gives a lot of options to those with allergies. Additionally, the food there is VERY good for dining hall food. Yamas Mediterranean food is also entirely peanut-free. There are many places on campus, however, that have peanut options. The Chick Fil A on campus obviously uses peanut oil, and the North Dining hall serves peanut butter. Einstein’s Bagels also has peanut butter, but only given pre-packaged. Village Juice is another great peanut-free option, as they only use tree nuts in their food. Forest greens also does not serve peanut butter anymore, after a complaint that it was unsafe. Overall, the university is fairly good with handling allergies, and I’ve been able to manage safely for 2 and a half years now! Go Deacs! P.S. I did have a reaction here sophomore year to peanut cross-contamination from food prepared in my own dorm, and student health services was able to handle it very well!”
@elliegust, who manages a peanut allergy
73. Carnegie Mellon University
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
“Dedicated and certified allergy-free dining option with pre-made options available to grab and go in most store fronts. Plenty of other safe and safe-doh options available throughout campus”
@meiguizi, who manages tree nut and milk allergies
74 .Wellesley College
Location: Wellesley, Massachusetts
“There are different dining options depending on your needs! One dining hall has a allergy friendly station and is nut-free. Another has a gluten-free room that you need swipe access to get into. There are also allergen labels on all of the foods in the dining halls that tell you what is in it. The website can also tell you information so that you can plan meals in advance. There is still work to be done, but overall there are safe options in terms of dining!!”
@teresateal, who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
75. The University of Texas at Austin
Location: Austin, Texas
“Food allergy center available, plus a food bar in the dining hall providing foods free of the 9 main allergens”
@celie, who manages peanut, fruit, vegetable, and sunflower
76. Florida State University
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
“FSU has been so accommodating with me. They gave me a private room so I had space to cook my food. The dining hall has a section free from the top 8 allergens by itself on so there is no risk of cross-contamination. The dining hall also has a worry free zone where there are prepackaged gluten and nut-free foods. There is also a health and wellness building that has a variety of doctors and services. FSU is amazing”
@britneyb, who manages celiac and peanut, milk, and wheat allergies
77. University of Rochester
Location: Rochester, New York
“There’s an entire dining hall that is peanut and tree nut-free on campus. Also, the on-campus grocery store carries allergen-friendly brands. Even the dining halls that aren’t allergen-free had lots of options with salad bars and helpful staff who were willing to clean cooking spaces and make something safe.”
@em44411, who manages a tree nut allergy
78. University of Colorado Boulder
Location: Boulder, Colorado
“Libby Dining Hall is a great option for students with food allergies at CU Boulder. The whole dining hall is dedicated to serving breakfast & lunch that are free from gluten, wheat, peanuts, and tree nuts. They are really careful about cross-contamination because when you walk in, they have everyone leave backpacks and water bottles on a shelf so nothing with gluten comes inside the dining hall. CU also identifies the top 9 allergens in all of the dining halls and has gluten-free breads, bagels, cereals, and specifically labeled to-go options. Libby is especially safe because of how it’s a completely gluten and nut-free dining hall. I’d highly recommend their food to anyone navigating any of these food allergies at Boulder (and the food is so good as well)!!”
@sairacampbell, who manages peanut, tree nut, sesame, and sunflower allergies
79. University of Florida
Location: Gainesville, Florida
“I took a tour of UF’s Broward Dining Facility, and the people I met there were so wonderful! The Pure Eats menu is completely free of the top ten allergens. I talked to the supervisor, and she assured me that Pure Eats is a safe option. I also learned that the supervisor likes to add interesting things to the menu to give kids with allergies an exciting experience. Pure Eats is open for lunch and dinner, along with dessert options! I felt very safe and taken care of by the people running the Broward Dining facility, and I am excited to dine at Pure Eats. The commitment the staff had to accommodating my allergies played a large factor in my decision to commit to UF.”
@emma.rose, who manages peanut, tree nut, milk, egg, soy, wheat, and legume allergies
80. University of Guelph
Location: Guelph, Ontario
“I lived on campus for first year and ate at the dining halls. Most of the time staff were knowledgeable and there were many safe options.”
@shawnaaa, who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
81. Georgia Institute of Technology
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
“Staying here for a school conference this weekend and I was impressed by the allergy situation. They have an app (Nutrislice) that allows you to preview the menu and see the allergens in any given food. Additionally, there are icons listed on the name tag of each food that denotes what the allergens are. There’s also a station that had a sign that said it was free of the top 8 (and said exactly which allergens they were free of). I ate in the North Ave dining hall and found that they had a lot of options- even for the middle of the summer!”
@carlinhanley, who manages a peanut allergy
82. University of Virginia
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
“UVA does not use any peanuts or tree nuts in any of the dining halls. They also have a top 9 allergen-free station that does not contain any of the top 9 allergens and they use a separate area to prepare food. This station also has top 9 allergen-free desserts you can ask for. There is also a registered dietitian that you can speak to on grounds that will let you know what options will be safe for you. If you have allergens that are out of the top 9, you can go through SDAC to get an individual meal separately prepared that will be safe for you to eat. They also have a food pantry that is top 9 free that you can get access to.”
@lemon, who manages peanut, tree nut, fruit, and legume allergies
83. Indiana University Bloomington
Location: Bloomington, Indiana
“As it’s been my first year on campus, I’ve been super impressed by IU Bloomington’s allergy adaptations! The dining halls (Forest, McNutt, Wright) all have a “Free From IX” station, where they don’t cook with the top 9 allergens (dairy, gluten, nuts, etc.) to avoid cross-contamination for more serious allergies. Additionally, every food item put out at all stations is labeled with which top allergen(s) it might have, and, in my experience, the staff have always been happy to help with any questions I have. There are also vegan and vegetarian options, and a halal and kosher certified restaurant you can use meal swipes at!”
@emarousi, who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
84. North Carolina State University
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
“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.”
@avawisniewski, who manages peanut, tree nut, and legume allergies
85. George Washington University
Location: Washington, District of Columbia
“Hi! I’m Sanai Pope, a junior studying Business and Organizational Sciences at The George Washington University. After graduation, I plan to go into management consulting. On campus, I work to raise awareness about food allergies and advocate for greater inclusivity in dining options. I have peanut, tree nut, and shellfish allergies, so finding safe places to eat is essential to me. Catch my reviews on the Spokin app for recommendations on safe dining spots around campus!”
@spope29, who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
86. Stevenson University
Location: Stevenson, Maryland
“The Rockland Center, which is the campus’s main dining area, is completely nut-free, and has both gluten-free and vegan options ! They have a separate area for preparing meals that are allergy safe (top 8 food allergens) When I toured the campus, I had rice and green beans. Their chef is very understanding and friendly. They even offered to bring in things that I suggest, like a type of bread for example.”
@vonnabear, who manages celiac and peanut, tree nut, milk, egg, wheat, fish, and shellfish allergies
87. Sacred Heart University
Location: Fairfield, Connecticut
“Really great College if you’re on campus and handling allergies and food intolerances! I’m very grateful to say that I have never gotten sick during my four years here! SHU is a FARE-verified school, which is awesome and a testament to the College’s ability to make students comfortable if they have food allergies. The staff here will let you know what they have that is gluten-free, what has a risk of cross-contamination, and what they cannot make gluten-free. The employees were also knowledgeable about allergies such as knowing to change their gloves, using separate equipment to prevent cross-contamination, and calling over chefs and managers to discuss safe food options. When I was a freshman I spoke to the chefs and managers and they gave me a very helpful tour of the dining halls and which items will be safe for gluten and peanut allergies. I never had an issue with peanuts and there were close to no peanuts in any of the dining halls. There’s also a website devoted to on-campus dining and how to navigate the dining halls with food allergies. The school recently launched an app for online ordering, but I cannot speak on personal experiences because I graduated before they released the app. VERY IMPORTANT: make sure you are carrying emergency medication, an EpiPen, or a similar device in case of an allergic reaction. I don’t think the Public Safety Officers carry any emergency medication and the dining halls don’t have anything available onsite. This note should serve as a serious (not a negative) reminder that you should ALWAYS carry emergency medication if you need immediate assistance. SHU Dining website (general information, details on app for online ordering, and navigating allergies on campus): https://dineoncampus.com/shu Feel free to reach out to me for more details on dining halls and suggestions for restaurants in the local area.”
@algebro, who manages celiac and a peanut allergy
88. Florida Gulf Coast University
Location: Fort Myers, Florida
“I personally don’t eat in the dining hall due to my own safety precautions however, last year FGCU revamped their entire allergy friendly station in the SOVI dining hall. They are top 9 friendly in the allergy station. I got accommodations with adaptive services to live in a single dorm by myself without roommates due to my allergies with no problem. I’ve been to lots of events and seen stands around campus that give away free snacks and I always see snacks that have “allergy-free” labeling (it says peanut-free, etc) and I’ve been able to take snacks. Overall, I’d say it’s pretty mid but I know there are people on campus advocating for better dining accommodations for allergies and religious purposes. We are an up and coming school so I’m hoping it will get better in time.”
@giannajulia11, who manages peanut, tree nut, shellfish, and sesame allergies
89. University of Cincinnati
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
“It’s been quite some time since I’ve been to a dining hall, but during my time as a freshman at UC I was always able to find food safe food options for myself. Personally, I would steer clear of the desserts as I’ve seen stuff with peanut butter in it on occasion. I would also be aware of some of the prepackaged food they sell throughout the colleges, as there is some sandwiches that say they are made in a factory with peanuts and tree nuts, as well as other major allergens. I’m not aware of the UC’s current allergen policy, but I’m sure the dining staff would be more than happy to accommodate any specific request or answer questions.”
@elishust, who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
90. Bates College
Location: Lewiston, Maine
“I went to school here for 4 years and never had any reaction. I also know people with other severe allergies that were safe as well. The staff has very clear allergy protocols and signage.”
@cwelsh01, who manages peanut, tree nut, shellfish, and legume allergies
91. The University of Scranton
Location: Scranton, Pennsylvania
“Knowledge about allergies and plenty of options at the dining hall other than just the true balance station. When you communicate they are honest and helpful.”
@zoie_gregory, who manages peanut, tree nut, and legume allergies
92. Westmont College
Location: Santa Barbara, California
“I’m so glad that my son transferred to Westmont!! They were so welcoming and understanding of his food allergies and Crohn’s. After speaking to the ARO department, we were able to get him his own room, bathroom and shower. They even gave him a cabinet in the kitchen where he can keep his stuff, and he also has access to a stove and oven to make his own meals!! The campus also has a MD in case of any emergencies!”
@dsarsour, who manages celiac and tree nut and sesame allergies
93. The College of New Jersey
Location: Ewing, New Jersey
“when i first started as a freshman in 2023, i reached out to the dietitian about my allergies, and they informed me that any fresh made food is peanut and tree nut-free. i’ve safely eaten at the dining hall (eickhoff) as well as traditions, sub connection, pizza pasta & co, and obc (which are all in the student center). almond milk is offered at various cafés, but the staff can make your drink directly in the cup instead of using a shaker. i was advised to avoid the fresh bakery items at eick, which are mostly otis spunkmeyer products. you can ask servers to double check ingredients or even show you the packaging! most meals in eick have ingredient sheets at each station that list common allergens. overall, dining on campus has been manageable. i live off campus now and prefer to eat at the surrounding restaurants in campus town! (they taste better too) BUT the on-campus dining options are generally safe.”
@maecontane, who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
94. Stonehill College
Location: Easton, Massachusetts
“The dining provider has changed since I attended here but they had little nuts and had recipe books that listed the ingredients for each recipe they had out. Staff was very helpful in knowing the ingredients and talking with the kitchen. The top 9 free area was small but safe. There are many dining options on campus that have safe options and precautions about allergens. My freshman year, the dietitian walked around with me to figure out what I could have and what I should stay away from at each dining section of the dining hall. I stayed away from the bakery but even that had little(or maybe even no) nuts. They also had some allergy friendly options in the ice cream freezer”
@nutsforupstate, who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
95. Xavier University
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
“If you have any allergies you are able to find food safe for you at the allergy without station! The team is super accommodating and you can request food you want :)”
@munsono, who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
96. Defiance College
Location: Defiance, Ohio
“My son will be attending Defiance College in the fall to play baseball. Their dining service has been awesome. He has 10 anaphylactic allergies to dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, fish, shellfish, sesame, lentil, and chickpeas, and peas. They have an allergy guide for all food and they also label all cafeteria food. With so many allergies they have worked with us to have staples on a daily basis so that he doesn’t have to try to eat from the daily menu. I know that they will keep him safe. Also, with the new sesame laws, they will find safe buns even if they have to purchase them from a local store! Updated end of freshman year: What a year it was! 10 life threatening food allergies and he ate safely on campus the entire year! He was able to not only eat in the dining hall, but he also was able to safely eat in the on campus fast food restaurant with made to order food called the Hive! The fact that Jason, the Manager of dining services was so willing to work with us is one of the many reasons to look at attending Defiance College!!! I know that so many parents including myself had major worries about how/what campus dining would look like hours away from home! This was a breath of fresh air, and how cool that my son got to experience college dining with his friends! This is a little, hidden gem with an awesome campus!”
@jacksmama8, who manages peanut, tree nut, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, sesame, and legume allergies
97. The University of Dayton
Location: Dayton, Ohio
“The University of Dayton does a great job with accommodating students with food allergies. They use an app called Net Nutrition that allows me to see all nutritional information of the food options at all of the dining halls! Whenever I have questions about my allergies, the staff is pretty educated and able to ensure my safety.”
@gcarcelli, who manages tree nut and sesame allergies
98. Liberty University
Location: Lynchburg, Virginia
“I had an amazing experience attending LU with my food allergies. When I was there from 2017-2019, there was an area of the main dining hall that would have great meals every day free from the top 8. With other restaurant options on campus that were nut-free and safe for me (Pizza Hut, Tres Habaneros, Woodfire Pizza, Garbanzo Mediterranean and more), I never had a problem finding safe food with no stress. Now, there’s a larger allergy-friendly area called SimpleZone that has snacks, a microwave and more that can only be used by food allergic students. I also had a great experience living on campus in both Commons 1 & 2 which offers a private room/bathroom with just one roommate. Both years, I was totally safe with my roommate that was on board with keeping me safe and having a nut-free room. IMO Liberty is THE Christian college for food allergic students that I would highly recommend!”
@zoewinebarger, who manages peanut, tree nut, and shellfish allergies
99. University of St. Thomas
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
“University of St. Thomas was an incredibly sensitive and proactive school in all areas and they definitely mastered helping students with allergies as well. They have so many different dining halls and all of the staff was so kind and helpful to make sure that what I was ordering was gluten-free. I didn’t feel like I was overly limited, and in one of their dining halls. they actually have a gated area that allergy students can enter and all the foods are free from top allergies. The staff and administration was so helpful here and I truly think this is one of the best schools and it is so underrated. I don’t go there right now, but I am planning on transferring and I’m definitely considering it because it because of how helpful and proactive they are. I know that if I wanted something to eat, I could go to any of the chefs or a counselor and they would do everything they could to make it happen for me given my allergies. I really recommend students with allergies to look at the school.”
@oliviaeatsgf, who manages celiac and milk, wheat, fruit, and vegetable allergies
100. Saint Francis University
Location: Loretto, Pennsylvania
“Saint Francis University has a wonderful allergen policy at Torvian Dining hall. They have a separate allergen station with delicious food free from the top 9 allergens. The food on the common line was also always labeled with allergens. They made me feel so safe while I was there. Whether it was at the dining hall, football games, other sporting events, or in classes.”
@julesy2002, who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
