1. Cornell University
Location: Ithaca, New York
“My daughter graduated from Cornell last year. She easily navigated the dining halls with peanut, tree nut, sesame, fish, and shellfish allergies. Most of the dining hall food items were labeled.”
@sheryl who manages peanut, tree nut, fish, shellfish, and sesame allergies
2. Northwestern University
Location: Evanston, Illinois
“Has a dining hall dedicated to people with food allergies and is free of the top eight! Also has a vegetarian/vegan dining hall!”
@delaneybrody who manages peanut, tree nut, and egg allergies
3. Vanderbilt University
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
“All of the Vanderbilt dining halls are completely nut-free. There are a few cafès on campus that do have nuts, but they are very aware of allergies. If you have limited options, 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
4. University of Michigan
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
“Dining in the South Quad dining hall at the University of Michigan was an incredible experience throughout this past year. Beyond the extremely dynamic variety of tasty food, the dining was super cautious in regard to allergies. Every single piece of food served in the entire dining hall had a detailed breakdown of all ingredients and allergens on a sign adjacent to the food. For someone who came into college uneasy about my college eating experience, the South Quad dining hall made eating enjoyable.”
@cfriedland9 who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
5. Michigan State University
Location: East Lansing, Michigan
“It has been a while since I ate in the dining halls here, but in 2011-2013ish they were all safe for me to eat in with a very severe airborne peanut and moderate tree nut/legume allergies. Brody was my main neighborhood place and they walked me through the food areas my first week to describe what is safe and what isn’t. I just spoke to someone in charge at each dining hall before eating anything. A lot of the dining halls have/are being renovated and I’m sure they’re even more on top of allergies now than they were when I was there! (Hello, top 8 allergen-free hall!)”
@sabudama who manages peanut, tree nut, and legume allergies
6. 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
7. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Location: Champaign, Illinois
“Illinois makes it very easy to use their app and check ingredients and allergens. They also have the ‘Inclusive Solutions Program’ which lets students work directly with dining staff to plan individual meals.”
@kimsch who manages peanut, tree nut, and sesame allergies
8. George Mason University
Location: Fairfax County, Virginia
“I’ve had an amazing experience with GMU’s dining staff! Upon first entering as a freshman, there were no options for me that were made safely in separate areas without my allergens, so every week the dietician would create a menu based off of my preferences and email me the menu. Each day and each meal, I would go into the dining hall, talk to the designated person, and they would remove my meal that was wrapped in plastic wrap safely from the heater. It was always prepared safely for me in a separate area without my allergens. They went as far as providing me with their cell numbers to text them the times I was coming to eat so my food wouldn’t be cold. I was able to safely dine in the dining hall with all the other students for the first 2 years of college, then my junior year, they created a station called Simple Servings. Simple Servings serves top 8 allergy-free food items daily, 3x a day, in a dedicated allergy-free section/ station. I was able to help with the development of that safe section! They have their own Simple Servings-specific pans, pots, utensils, and ingredients. They also have allergen-free baked goods, SunButter, rice milks, etc. They also do not allow students to get food at that station themselves; it is not self serve, all of the staff is Allertrained, and food is given to students on a new plate every single time to eliminate cross contamination. I am so grateful for their attention and help with my allergies. I’ve never had a better experience at any other college.”
@ashleybga who manages peanut, tree nut, milk, soy, halibut, sesame, and lima bean allergies
9. Stanford University
Location: Stanford, California
“Stanford has one dining hall called Ricker that is entirely peanut and tree nut-free! It is a lifesaver for folks with allergies to be able to a wide variety of great food without having to worry and the food is great, too.”
@gfnutfreemama who manages tree nut allergies
10. Appalachian State
Location: Boone, North Carolina
“I am a young adult who is allergic to dairy. App State provides healthy and tasty options for my dietary needs. They rock!”
@amaeh who manages a milk allergy
11. Elon University
Location: Elon, North Carolina
“First of all, the school has a dining hall section that is COMPLETELY allergy-friendly. It is free of the top 8 allergens, with no cross contamination. Each dining hall’s menu items each day are listed online with all of their ingredients listed. These menus, with the ingredients and items, are also displayed on screens above the different dining hall stations. They also have my favorite allergy-friendly brands as “grab and go” snack items in the different dining halls. They also have extensive amounts of allergy-friendly food items in each of the stores on campus. I’m able to find my favorite allergy-friendly ice cream, cookies, baking mixes, etc. just down the hill from my dorm!”
@allergystrategy who manages peanut, milk, egg, fish, and shellfish allergies
12. Boston University
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
“Each semester, the nutrition center met with each student with dietary restrictions to figure out meal plans and safe options. A separate dedicated pantry in each dining hall is available to anyone with allergies.”
@nutfreefun who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
13. New York University
Location: New York, New York
“I was really comfortable with NYU’s dining. I only frequented the dining halls occasionally, but I always felt I could find a safe option. I was also able to live in a dorm room with a kitchen every year I lived on-campus. I also did a summer abroad at NYU Florence and the team in their dining hall was incredible.”
@vpizz who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
14. University of Denver
Location: Denver, Colorado
“Pre-COVID era, we visited University of Denver with my son. It became his top choice, as it was a perfect fit for his interests (skiing and other clubs) and accommodated his food allergies. I was impressed with their dining service team when we visited. They were the only team that was able to provide his lunch during our college tour and did this without prior notification. The director of dining services is from the school’s catering company, so there’s a symbiotic relationship, especially when it comes to food allergens and cross-contact. The chef was very patient, approachable, knowledgeable, and accommodating. Foods were clearly labeled. The chef had a dedicated space or cleaned space for preparing my son’s food.”
@allergyfriend who manages peanut, tree nut, milk, egg, soy, fish, shellfish, seed, legume, fruit, and meat allergies
15. University of Chicago
Location: Chicago, Illinois
“One of the best allergy policies in the country.”
@apalin who manages peanut and soy allergies
16. Syracuse University
Location: Syracuse, New York
“Syracuse University is a great environment for students with food allergies. All menu items are listed online where you can find a full breakdown of ingredients, plus there is a QR code to scan at each food item in the dining halls. I have severe peanut and tree nut allergies, so it was great to hear that all dining halls are peanut and tree nut free (except for peanut butter packets upon request and almond milk). Accessibility at the dome has also been super easy to navigate, with their only risk being peanut m&ms. All staff are very knowledgeable and helpful with pointing you to the right direction. Make sure to get in contact with the dietitian and dining hall directors upon arrival to feel super safe and comfortable at your home away from home!”
@maecton who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
17. Rowan University
Location: Glassboro, New Jersey
“My peanut allergic child was able to meet with the head dietician 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
18. Rochester Institute of Technology
Location: Monroe County, New York
“I, as of last month, am officially a student at RIT thanks in no small part to their food allergy accommodations. When my family and I arrived for a tour of the campus on an Accepted Students day, we were delighted to find that the staff in the dining hall was welcoming and understanding. We spoke to a staff member at their main dining hall who offered to show us the kitchen where all the food is prepared. He went on to explain that they train their staff in preparing safe meals to a students specific needs in a dedicated area of the kitchen with dedicated tools. He showed us part of the kitchen where tools, tables, and racks were purple or marked with purple tape to indicate the allergy free zones. Not only are the kitchen staff trained to handle the modified recipes, but the school dietitian works directly with both the student and the staff to figure out what meals can be provided and when according to the students needs. Overall I feel very safe in the hands of RIT and I am very excited to attend! Their comprehensive plan for dealing with food allergies was what made my dream of going away from home for college a reality.”
@jackofspades who manages peanut, tree nut, egg, milk, and lentil allergies
19. University of Virginia
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
“Entering UVA during the pandemic was hard, but the Copper Hood station in each of the dining halls that provides meals free from all of the top allergens was a lifesaver. The Copper Hood provides very healthy options for every meal. Outside of the Copper Hood, most foods in every dining hall and establishment on grounds is safe for me to eat, besides baked goods, which dining staff was very clear about. I have never had a problem finding food that is safe for me to eat!! I have a nut allergy and there are some nuts used in places like Rising Roll, but the meals included in the meal plans are generally safe. If you have questions, the staff are very easy to talk to!”
@noellem515 who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
20. Emerson College
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
“New Emerson parent here- and we are loving it. 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 with 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. There’s an Oasis Station free of top 9, but they also don’t use peanuts or tree nuts in any prepared food. They guided my son to not use the bread or 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, 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
21. The University of Arizona
Location: Tucson, Arizona
“The dining hall is not set up in typical buffet or line style dining. There are separate establishments that rent out the areas within our dining area (Chick-Fil-A, Papa John’s, Steak & Shake, Panda Express, Einstein Bagels, etc). This makes it a bit easier to navigate with food allergies, since menu items don’t typically change. There are a few non-chain restaurants in the dining centers, but the workers are all knowledgeable and willing to help (usually, they will get a manager for you to speak with). There is one all-you-can-eat restaurant, Pangea, that is self-serve. Each dish has a name card with the ingredients that are in the dish! Amazing!”
@toriwong who manages peanut, tree nut, and milk allergies
22. 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 allergy-friendly!”
@riyamiglani who manages peanut, tree nut, and shrimp allergies
23. University of Wisconsin- Madison
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
“My two best friends from high school both go here and I visited them in the winter. The school itself is super accommodating and has great health services! There are also TONS of eating options around campus that are proactive, too.”
@reganh who manages milk and egg allergies
24. 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
25. Boston College
Location: Newton, 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
26. 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 is always safe. I loved my time at Tulane and highly recommend!”
@izzytri12 who manages tree nut, fish, and sesame allergies
27. Miami University
Location: Oxford, Ohio
“When I went here, they had a lot of great gluten-free and dairy-free options. Multiple hood salad bar stations as well as markets loaded with groceries including gluten-free and dairy-free snacks. Also check out Moon Co-op for off-campus grocery shopping/lunch.”
@paigeflory who manages celiac and milk and wheat allergies
28. University of Massachusetts Amherst
Location: Hampshire County, Massachusetts
“As a student at UMass Amherst with allergies, I was placed on a dietitian’s email list to be notified ahead of time if there were any peanut specials in any of the dining halls. There were safe options for me in every dining location at UMass, and top 8 free brands were sold all around campus. Also, every single dish in the dining halls and on-campus dining locations was labeled with ingredients and allergens. UMass Dining additionally has an app that lists the menus for every dining location, complete with updated ingredients and allergens for every item served. There are designated gluten-free and vegetarian locations in the dining halls, but if you have questions or trouble finding something safe, a manager will assist you or make sure something is prepared specifically for you.”
@bha474 who manages peanut, tree nut, and fruit allergies
29. Harvard University
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
“My experience with dining at Harvard with a nut allergy has been somewhat positive. Dishes with allergens are only sometimes labeled, and so it requires a lot of asking the dining staff. I also have been given the option to order my meals separately and email ahead (accommodations through AEO). However, students at Harvard do not have the option to cook for themselves or get off of the required meal plan.”
@alexajordan who manages tree nut, milk, and fruit allergies
30. University of Maryland
Location: College Park, Maryland
“I attended UMD 2017-2021 and had a good experience at the dining halls! All the food was clearly labeled and I met with the executive chef of the dining hall near my dorm prior to beginning my freshman year. We looked at every food that was served and he pointed out areas of the dining hall to me that didn’t serve anything I was allergic to. I remember LOVING the waffle station, soft serve ice cream machine, salad bar, curly fries, and grilled chicken!”
@lizziepic who manages peanut, tree nut, and shellfish allergies
31. American University
Location: Washington, D.C.
“I think the allergy support at American University is great. Not only is the dining hall nut-free, but the other dining options on campus (not including the coffee shops – The Dav, The Bidge, and Starbucks) are also completely nut-free!! The support for food allergies is great on campus and I feel comfortable with the Student Health Center, disability services, and dining services if I have any issues or concerns. The people here are understanding and there is nothing more reassuring that I do not have to ask about nuts every single time I eat! They have sunflower butter as an option in the dining hall and some prepackaged sandwiches in the campus stores if that’s your jam! (no pun intended)! I’m happy here and have found some amazing people who are conscious of and thoughtful about my allergies.”
@natalie who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
32. 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 fish, shellfish, wheat, and seed allergies
33. 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
34. Vassar College
Location: Poughkeepsie, New York
“Vassar recently updated their meal plan and dining hall. There are different sections in the ACDC (the dining hall) that are conscientious of food allergies and diets. For example, the Oasis section (which often times has delicious options), is for those with food allergies and diets. They also have a Kosher section in the dining hall. Also, the campus is very good about trying to serve everyone’s needs for all-campus, such as offering options that are gluten-free, vegan, etc.”
@jamartinez who manages peanut and shellfish allergies
35. Tufts University
Location: Medford, Massachusetts
“Tufts has been so accommodating with handling food allergies in the dining hall and in other aspects on campus with Accessibility Services. There are 2 dining halls on campus. One is completely peanut, tree nut, and gluten-free; the other one has a top 9 free station with a separate dedicated kitchen. This has been so freeing and makes dining safely super easy. I am also a part of their Alternative Meal Plan, which allows me to order meals to be made separately and with my allergies specified. I have worked with the dietitian on campus, Kelly Shaw, who has been so wonderful with creating a meal plan that feels comfortable for my allergies and life as a student. Dining away from home was such a huge factor with moving away to college, but all of the dining staff at Tufts have been so accommodating with making sure that I can dine safely each day. In addition to all of that, their Student Accessibility Office has been great with setting up accommodations and allowing me to have a single room with my own mini fridge and microwave. Such amazing protocols which make me feel extra safe!”
@catherinewalker who manages peanut, tree nut, milk, egg, quinoa, and latex allergies
36. 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 milk and egg allergies
37. 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
38. Wheaton College
Location: Wheaton, 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 dinning 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 dinning 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 gets 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, seed, vegetable, fruit, grain, and legume allergies
39. The Ohio State University
Location: Columbus, Ohio
“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!”
@alyssabauder who manages a peanut allergy
40. Georgia Institute of Technology
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
“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 peanut, tree nut, milk, shrimp, and sesame allergies
41. 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 and tree nut allergies
42. 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
43. 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 soy allergies
44. St. Mary’s College of California
Location: Moraga, California
“The Dining Hall staff are very accommodating to allergies. Because the college is so small, staff members recognize you and can plan for alternative meal choices.”
@skelly4545 who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
45. 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
46. Oklahoma State University
Location: Stillwater, Oklahoma
“I toured Oklahoma State over spring break and I was impressed to see great steps for people with food allergies. First, our tour guide, Kory, knew of restaurants around town that were food sensitivity-friendly. Also, the dorms we were showed had two sets of kitchens on each side of each floor and you could bring your own pans to cook. I was looking on their website and they have a specific person to talk to about allergies. They also have allergen menus on their website for restaurants in the Student Union. Disability Services seemed very willing to make accommodations for dining, as well as housing. Just to clarify, I was only touring and am not a student on the campus, but going on the visit has definitely lessened my fears of possibly attending the campus.”
@dhodson500 who manages a peanut allergy
47. Columbia University
Location: New York City, 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
48. University of Georgia
Location: Athens, Georgia
“After visiting UGA as a prospective parent, I am so impressed with their ability to accommodate food allergies. We had an opportunity to meet with one of the dietitians, and she showed us how a student can search items for allergens, pre-order, where to eat, etc. It’s all on an app! It was helpful to see and hear what UGA is doing and I hope other schools follow suit.”
@allergytwinsmom who manages peanut, tree nut, milk, and egg allergies
49. 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. There is also a dedicated gluten-free fridge within the dining center. For dessert, Fordham offers Sweet Loren’s cookies.”
@amandarodriguez who manages celiac
50. 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 an apricot allergy
51. 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 and a wheat allergy
52. College of the Holy Cross
Location: Worcester, Massachusetts
“Holy Cross has been pretty great with my restrictions so far (1st semester freshman year)! The main dining hall, Kimball, has just introduced a top 10 free clean eating station, and that food is delicious! There is also an option to order your food the night before for it to be prepared separately in the kitchen and handed to you wrapped. You just have to ask the dietitian for the link. I can’t really speak to the other dining locations on campus—I find it more difficult to eat there—but Main Kimball is really great! Also entirely nut-free!”
@elaineeannaa who manages celiac and a milk allergy
53. 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
54. Carnegie Mellon University
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
“Carnegie Mellon went out of the way within the last year to create a place to get food on campus that is completely free of the top 8 allergens. This place is called Nourish. They have prepared foods available around campus or you can place an order online and go pick it up fresh. The food is quite tasty.”
@punkinmama who manages tree nut and milk allergies
55. Wellesley College
Location: Wellesley, Massachusetts
“Didn’t realize how great it was until I had graduated.”
@jrhskees who manages tree nut and milk allergies
56. Georgetown University
Location: Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
“Recently spent one week here for a summer program and I was beyond satisfied. Within the dining hall, there was an allergen-free section and the chefs cooked food without the top 8 allergens. I felt so safe.”
@therealolivier who manages peanut, tree nut, milk, and egg allergies
57. 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, seed, vegetable, and fruit allergies
58. Washington and Lee University
Location: Lexington, Virginia
“Special area of the cafeteria that caters to students with food allergies and has facilities to cook your own food as well. Food services is also easy to work with.”
@yamase who manages peanut, tree nut, milk, egg, fish, seed, grain, meat, and chocolate allergies
59. Florida State University
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
“I went on a tour today and I was so impressed with the dining hall. I only went to the Suwannee Room, but I think it’s all I will need. They have a True Balance which is top 9 free (with its own kitchen). I had turkey, brussels sprouts, corn, and roasted potatoes. So yum!! And they have a dole whip machine!! The nutritionist was so knowledgeable and took me around the dining hall, showing me what I could and couldn’t eat. She granted my dad and I access to the ‘Worry Free Zone’, which was a room inside the dining hall that was strictly peanut, tree nut, and gluten-free. You had to leave your things outside and needed a card to swipe in order to get in. I was in love!! I had seen rooms like these on my college tours before, but I think this one is the best. The nutritionist said it was low stocked right now because it’s summer—so I’m curious to see what I looks like fully stocked. There was an ingredient binder on the counter of everything in the room, and I saw so many products that I could have, such as sun butter cups, enjoy life bars, cereal, gluten-free and vegan bread, safe microwaveable meals, and my absolute favorite, single packed vegan mochi! Good job FSU, you are a great contender!”
@samisafeeats who manages peanut, tree nut, egg, milk, fish, and shellfish allergies
60. 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 tree nut and fruit allergies
61. 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 and 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 upperclassmen 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, fish, shellfish, wheat, sesame, and avocado allergies
62. The University of Utah
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
“The cafeteria has some ok options but I made most of my food at my apartment and brought my snacks every day as well.”
@elledairyfree who manages a milk allergy
63. Brown University
Location: Providence, Rhode Island
“I spent a summer here and ate well. They have a preorder method for people with allergies that limits cross-contamination, as well as an allergy-friendly pantry.”
@nutsfornogluten who manages celiac and peanut and tree nut allergies
64. Duke University
Location: Durham, North Carolina
“Almost completely nut-free campus with everything labeled very clearly. Any questions can be directed to specifically designated people wearing hats that are trained to answer any questions about allergies. Staff will also change gloves for anyone with allergies.”
@isabella711 who manages peanut, tree nut, milk, and shellfish allergies
65. Smith College
Location: Northampton, Massachusetts
“As a Smith alum, I recommend Smith for food allergic students, depending on your allergies + dietary restrictions. Smith’s dining system is more accommodating to food allergies because it is not centralized. There are 8 dining halls on campus, and some of them specialize in special diets. One dining hall is completely nut and fish free (Lamont) and another is completely gluten-free and safe for those with celiac (Dawes). The gluten-free dining hall also accommodates other allergies and restrictions and is mostly nut free. Labeling of food ingredients and common allergens is usually correct, but it is better to ask if you are unsure; staff are always willing to answer your questions!”
@elise who manages celiac and peanut and tree nut allergies
66. 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
67. University of Florida
Location: Gainesville, Florida
“Yesterday I visited UF! We couldn’t get a tour booked so we did a self guided tour using the app. They have two specifically allergy friendly dining options called Pure Eats and, of course, True Balance (which I am familiar with, they have one at Auburn). Both are top 9 free, but since I’ve eaten at True Balance, I thought I would eat at Pure Eats. Looking at all of the counters before it, I saw lots of options as well, like plain baked potatoes and vegetables. Everyone was super friendly and, when I was in line for Pure Eats, the employee behind the counter greeted a student by name like he was a regular! I thought that was so cute. Also while in line, I met a boy who asked, first, if I had food allergies, and then what they were. He had a similar list! The food was great—I got a rice bowl with greens, red onion, and steak. It was delicious and I can definitely see myself going here. Didn’t have a meeting with the dietitian though, going to do that when I get accepted… one thing that concerned me was, at a salad counter, there was a jar of peanuts labeled sunflower seeds. Anyone could have obviously seen they were not sunflower seeds, but, come on! We spoke to the manager, but he wasn’t too concerned about it—just said that they’re ‘allowed to have peanuts in the facility’, but said he would go check it out. So strange! I’ll have to come back and check it out another time.”
@samisafeeats who manages peanut, tree nut, egg, milk, fish, and shellfish allergies
68. Union College
Location: Schenectady, New York
“I have felt pretty good so far about eating on campus, however, there is definitely room for improvement in terms of the college’s allergy awareness and food options. There are top 9 allergen-free stations at both of the main dining halls on campus, and the staff and meals are wonderful! However, these stations are not open on the weekends, which is a real issue for people with severe food allergies. The other goods in the dining halls are labeled with papers that state what allergens they contain, but sometimes these sheets aren’t updated and have outdated information on them. For example, the meatloaf they were serving a few days ago said ‘contains fish’ on the paper so I asked one of the kitchen staff to double-check and they said that was from their old recipe when they used to use anchovies in it. They said they don’t use anchovies anymore but they didn’t update the allergen sheet. If I hadn’t asked someone, I would not have been able to eat it, since the allergy labeling is not updated.Also, the campus told me they did not use any nuts in their kitchens but some locations would have products with nuts in personal containers. For example, a dining location may sell Reese’s cups. This is not an issue for me as it is not in the main dining hall, but recently they began putting out individual containers of peanut butter at one of the breakfast stations. This presents a risk of cross-contamination within the dining hall and has given me anxiety about what I am able to eat there at breakfast time, since I used to often get a bagel and I cannot anymore. People can spread the peanut butter on their bagels right next to the rest of the bagels and utensils and this is a major issue that I am hoping to get the dining staff to resolve. I have always been able to find something safe for me to eat and the staff I have spoken with are very accommodating and helpful, but I wish there were more systems in place so that students like me don’t have to go out of our way to check if a meal is safe for us to eat. I am also hoping to get Epi-Pen injectors available onsite in the main dining halls. “
@nicoleorlofsky who manages peanut, tree nut, fish, shellfish and kiwi allergies
69. Clemson University
Location: Clemson, South Carolina
“They have an allergy-friendly line at Schilletter, which even has Enjoy Life cookies, so I was able to find safe options. Cons are you’re limited to that or the salad bar etc, but there are a few other restaurants on campus that are good with allergies, and Freshens and Douthit are also generally pretty safe options”
@claraaa who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
70. 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
71. Lawrence University
Location: Appleton, Wisconsin
“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 also goes through the FARECheck training.”
@daphlevy who manages tree nut allergies
72. Defiance College
Location: Defiance, Ohio
“I will be attending Defiance College in the fall to play baseball. Their dining service has been awesome. I have 10 anaphylactic allergies to dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, fish, shellfish, sesame, lentil, and chickpeas. They have an allergy guide for all food and the also label all cafeteria food. Since I have so many allergies they have worked with me and my family to have staples for me on a daily basis so that I don’t have to try to eat from the daily menu. I feel like I know that they will keep me safe. Also, with the new sesame laws, they will find me safe buns even if they have to purchase them from a local store!”
@jacksmama who manages peanut, tree nut, milk, fish, shellfish, sesame and legume allergies
73. University of South Carolina
Location: Columbia, South Carolina
“At UofSC you can register with the Office of Student Disability Services and will speak to a staff member who will help you navigate safe places for you to eat on campus! They find ways to accommodate everyone and even have you to meet directly with the dining services, have access to ingredient lists etc. The staff will do everything to make sure that you feel comfortable and are always available if you have questions. I have had a great experience at UofSC so far and have no complaints!”
@morgantighe who manages a peanut allergy
74. High Point University
Location: High Point, North Carolina
“Allergy area free or top 8. Chef jacket identified not only her name but that she was an allergy specialist. Dedicated area. Lots of items to choose from. My daughter ordered fried chicken tenders, fries, and cookies and sorbet for dessert. This college gets a big thumbs up for this milk/tree nut mom. This was just a college tour—but allergy protocols make me feel much better about ‘letting go’ a bit.”
@disneymom who manages tree nut and milk allergies
75. Hamilton College
Location: Clinton, New York
“Very helpful dining services! They will do anything to make sure you feel safe eating the food…even if it means preparing separate food every single day (which I did for one year)!”
@swolfe who manages celiac and peanut and tree nut allergies
76. Texas A & M University
Location: College Station, Texas
“I lived on campus here and there were always plenty of food options on campus that met my needs! They are inclusive and accommodating. I always knew what options at the dining hall were gluten-free, peanut-free, vegan, and vegetarian.”
@natalie.solis23 who manages a peanut allergy
77. University of Delaware
Location: Newark, Delaware
“My peanut allergic daughter is starting in a few days and the dining staff is amazing. The dining halls are peanut and tree nut free and they have allergy staff available at the dining halls to answer all questions related to food allergies. The allergy experts wear a hat that shows who they are and the dietitian encourages the students to ask them all allergy-related questions since they are experts at the meals. There are also areas in the dining hall that are free of top 8 allergens. Students can also order food ahead of time to be prepared separately from other food. I always stressed my about daughter going to college because of her allergy, but they have made the experience less stressful.”
@vezzy24 who manages a peanut allergy
78. Rutgers University
Location: New Brunswick, New Jersey
“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 our 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.”
@audreycha who manages peanut, tree nut, egg, shrimp, wheat, sesame, barley, and legume allergies
79. Thomas Jefferson University East Falls Campus
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
“I am a sophomore in the PA program at Jefferson and had to be on the 19 meal a week dining plan for my entire first year. My family and I met the dining staff, including the manager and chefs of all the dining halls, at the beginning of the year. I was able to eat on campus on move in day and was so excited to have the independence and freedom eating away from home. My process would be to email or text the chef three times a day with whatever I wanted for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This was tedious, challenging, and took a lot of time-management/trial and error, but it was the easiest way for the chefs to hand make my food. However, I did have two anaphylactic reactions in my fall semester because of mistakes in the dining hall, but they quickly changed the process in which they made my food. For example, the dining manager and head chef met with me and created a paper specific to my needs where the chef making my food had to sign off on the ingredients they used in my meal. Christopher Grant, the head chef, is amazing and I have never had any issues eating his or his Sous Chef, Steve’s, food. They’ve made me meals from salmon bowls to ramen to Philly Cheesesteaks to shrimp scampi, and everything tastes so good. With that being said, I would recommend to someone with more severe allergies to commute or request a kitchen because there will be human error in a college dining hall and it is difficult to prevent when there are many students. However, Jefferson has treated me well and I am well-acquainted with all of the kitchen staff. You must take the steps to meet with the chefs and speak up when you see something or have questions, which is all part of advocating for yourself. I also fought to get a single apartment for my second year so that I would not have any issues with cross contact in the kitchen with roommates and with the help of Student Accessibility Services, it all worked out and I have had a wonderful experience (and no hospital visits!) this year.”
@livwong who manages peanut, tree nut, milk, egg, and soy allergies
80. Iowa State University
Location: Ames, Iowa
“When looking at colleges allergies was one of my top priorities. Iowa State does an amazing job with allergies and being safe, allergens are listed for each food item that is being served; dairy free, vegetarian alternatives can be requested, when I would request a burger without cheese, they would change their gloves and assemble my burger away from the cheese. They also have a ‘special kitchen’ in one of the dining halls that only those with food allergies have access to. The protocol with this special kitchen is you can not bring anything or anyone who isn’t on the list in, hands must be washed before entering and everything has their own utensil to grab the food, snacks are individually packed. Also on the Iowa state app, we can access each dining halls menu and the allergens are listed on there with icons and the full ingredient list!”
@viviancrabbe who manages peanut, tree nut, milk, shellfish, and kiwi allergies
81. Ball State University
Location: Muncie, Indiana
“I have had the BEST dining experience with my lengthy list of food allergies at BSU! There are three different dining halls on campus and 2/3 have a dedicated allergen station that is free of the top 9 allergens. However, with my list being more than those 9, they have a dedicated chef that makes me prepared meals that have been safe and delicious. The staff is very educated and helpful!” maria04 macadamia nut, almond, wheat, milk, scallops, cashew, oysters, hazelnut, soy, oats, peanuts, brazil nut, pecan, walnut, egg, pea, pine nut, clams, mussels, octopus, shrimp, squid, barley, pistachio, crab, lobster, sesame, chicken
@maria04 who manages peanut, tree nut, milk, egg, soy, sesame, and shellfish allergies
82. Drexel University
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
“The Office of Disability was amazing with providing accommodations for private living arrangements and access to a full kitchen in the VanR dorm. I did not have to pay an additional dorm fee for having a private room. The dining halls have good options, but I chose to prepare my food myself, so I was exempt from a dining plan.”
@morganpriice who manages celiac and peanut, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, grain, meat, vegetable, and sorbitol allergies
83. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
“Just left my first weekend at MIT as I’m attending the EMBA Program. I am absolutely in awe of the program they have put together for students who have food allergies. I only wish they had this at my undergrad back in the day. I think I only ate pizza and pasta for 4 years in undergrad. MIT has substantial support services including the following: 1) a dedicated and very experienced dietician who took a substantial amount of time to understand my specific allergies and helped guide me through safe options 2) a dining hall location with two whole stations of tasty food that are completely free of top 8 allergens at one station and top 9 at the other. I’m not talking about the same bland options day after day; I was able to eat healthy and tasty dishes that were prepared using careful protocols to avoid top 8/9 allergens. Additionally, they list all ingredients on every single dish at the two locations, which is very helpful for people like me who have an allergy to foods outside the top 9 (legumes for me) If you are looking for a campus with safe options, keep this one on your list. The academics and research are pretty strong, too!”
@ehrspokin who manages peanut, tree nut, legume, and kiwi allergies
84. St. John Fisher College
Location: Rochester, New York
“This school has a dedicated gluten-free/allergen section equipped with appliances to eliminate cross contamination. The executive chef is more than happy to help accommodate any dietary needs including preparing a special dish, preparing food in a safe location, offering glove changes and is always taking food requests for what to keep in the allergen refrigerator. This refrigerator is home to 4 non-dairy milk alternatives, dairy-free cream cheese, cheese or butter and dairy-free yogurt. There is also an assortment of gluten-free breads, waffles, bagels, muffins, donuts, and cookies. There is always something new and fun here whether that be English muffins or cinnamon raisin bread. Each item throughout the rest of the dining hall is also labeled if it is gluten free, dairy free, vegan or vegetarian. There is even a hot section in the allergen station featuring an 100% gluten free dish that changes daily.”
@sarahwoods who manages celiac and milk and wheat allergies
85. 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
86. Emory University
Location: DeKalb County, Georgia
“My food allergy experience at Emory was literally a dream come true! That being said, it did take a lot of work and advanced planning! I applied early decision to Emory, and my mom and I first visited the school and began talking to dining and disability services during my sophomore year of high school! After several subsequent visits and meetings, we worked out a great plan in which I lived in a single dorm, yet all of my meals are in the main dining hall, so as to not miss the integral social aspect! I did this for all 4 years and had all my own safe food prepared for me by the amazing dining hall staff. I only ate at the main dining hall (where all the employees knew me!) and never at any of the other dining halls. This main dining hall was completely free of peanuts, tree nuts, and shellfish. They also have a gluten-free station and a vegan station. Because of the severity of my allergies, I still had to get special food prepared just for me, but being peanut, tree nut, and shellfish-free would allow many with allergies to have a completely normal dining hall experience! While I fortunately never had an anaphylactic reaction while at Emory, it was always nice to know that Emory Hospital is less than a 5 minute walk from the main dining hall! In the event of an emergency, this is critical! Overall, I do not have enough amazing things to say about Emory!”
@missmeliss1895 who manages celiac and peanut, tree nut, milk, egg, and shellfish allergies
87. University of Pennsylvania
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
“Obviously was nervous in the weeks leading up to my freshman year of college, for more reasons than one. Most of all, for both myself and my parents, was the fear that a milk and nut allergy would make adjusting to the college lifestyle harder than it had to to be. Thankfully, Penn made that aspect of the transition easy. Dan Connolly, a registered dietician at the school, helped me navigate dining at Penn, even setting up meetings with the head chefs at the dining halls before I arrived. Whenever I’d be unsure about that day’s menu, I could send the chef a text ahead of time and there’d be a safe meal ready for me upon arriving at the dining hall. Beyond that, the prep cooks at the dining halls were not only aware of the necessary protocols, but receptive to my questions and needs. Penn advocates for students with food allergies!”
@jamisonv who manages tree nut and milk allergies
88. University of California, Los Angeles
Location: Los Angeles, California
“UCLA has the #1 or #2 dining hall ranking in the US every year. I was extremely spoiled being able to attend this school with the food allergies I have. I am anaphylactic to dairy, peanuts, and all tree nuts, but never felt restricted when it came to eating and food at UCLA. The dining halls were extremely varied in food options, from “classic” dining halls, to purely Asian food halls, Mediterranean food halls, and health food halls. Each meal of the day was updated on an app so you could see every ingredient used on every dish. Additionally, UCLA Ronald Reagan hospital, one of the top hospitals in the country, is within 10 minutes of any spot on campus. I suffered 3 anaphylactic shocks while at UCLA (none from dining halls) and I was able to walk 2 of the times from my apartment, into the emergency room and get treated right away. I was given incredible attention and help at the hospital, so felt very safe my time at university.”
@gracefriendly who manages celiac and peanut, tree nut, milk, and wheat allergies
89. University of Missouri
Location: Columbia, Missouri
“I have had nothing but great experiences with Mizzou dining! They always have allergy-friendly options when asked and even keep specific fridges filled with alternative foods for students of all common allergens. Overall, it had lots of options and an educated staff who were willing to make adjustments as necessary.”
@diver96 who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
90. Southern Methodist University
Location: Dallas, Texas
“SMU offers access to an entire pantry located in the center of the dining hall full of gluten-free options. Some of these options include all of Udi’s bread products (sandwich bread, bagels, muffins), frozen pizzas, frozen chicken nuggets, frozen waffles, and various cereals. They also accommodate many other dietary restrictions in the pantry, such as vegan and keto diets. Even if you don’t see one of your favorite gluten-free products, you can request for them on this form in the pantry and, often, they will purchase it for the pantry. Outside of the pantry, the omelette and sandwich station is gluten-free.”
@shosbein who manages celiac
91. University of San Francisco
Location: San Francisco, California
“Before my freshman year began, I sat down with the woman in charge of the cafeteria. She told me everything I could eat/could not eat. For example, the Italian station, Mexican station, grill, and soups were always safe. I was told to stay away from the bakery, sandwiches, and salads due to possible cross contamination. We also had flexi dollars to pay with. They allowed me to get on a special plan where I didn’t need to spend as much money because they knew I wouldn’t be eating quite as much from the cafeteria as other students. I was able to buy a lot of safe groceries in the cafeteria store, as well. They even offered to grocery shop for me if I wanted them to and they would deliver it to my room. I didn’t accept the offer because I felt more confident in my own ability to shop safely for myself, but it was so kind to offer. No reactions all 4 years!”
@alliecastro22 who manages peanut and tree nut allergies
92. Regent University
Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia
“Campus housing all have kitchens which allows for much more control of personal meals. Cafeteria dining is optional but staff communicate well.”
@luthien22 who manages peanut, vegetable, and apple allergies
93. Saint Anselm College
Location: Manchester, New Hampshire
“My college has the absolute best dining services. I’ve never had an issue. I order my food ahead of time, and it is custom-made for me.”
@jessguad who manages celiac and peanut, tree nut, wheat, grain, and legume allergies
94. Lehigh University
Location: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
“I became interested in Lehigh University after finding out that they had a top 8 allergen-free section in their dining hall! I read that separate purple utensils, carts, and cutting boards were used solely in that station. Specially trained chefs work behind the counter and labels list ingredients for each dish! A wide variety of recipes are used so students can enjoy different and new meals. I was very excited upon finding this out, and I can’t wait to look more into this!”
@audreycha who manages peanut, tree nut, egg, shrimp, wheat, sesame, barley, and legume allergies
95. William & Mary
Location: Williamsburg, Virginia
“As a sophomore at William & Mary, I have been pleased with the College’s allergy policy and protocol. Menus are clearly labeled and 2/3 of the dining halls on campus have allergy-friendly “Simple Servings” stations and are completely nut-free facilities. The school nutritionist is a fabulous resource and a wealth of information. There is always room to grow, but I feel safe eating on campus with a food allergy.”
@treenutfreemb who manages celiac and a tree nut allergy
96. Villanova University
Location: Villanova, Pennsylvania
“All prepared meals on campus are nut-free. Prepackaged nut items exist in small shops but all campus prepared meals in all dining halls are nut-free!”
@kfelker who manages peanut, tree nut, and rye allergies
97. Belmont University
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
“They have a Simple Servings station, which is free of all major allergens and uses a separate kitchen. The staff is always there and ready to answer any questions you may have. This made going away to college much easier!”
@mbaldes who manages peanut, milk, sodium benzoate, olive oil, and tumeric allergies
98. University of Connecticut
Location: Storrs, Connecticut
“My son is a student at UConn (junior). He advocates for himself. Before attending, he was very diligent about contacting the Center for Student Disabilities and the Director of Dining Services about his food allergies (anaphylactic to tree nuts and also kiwi). They were very accommodating. He met with the dining services director and understood what was safe for him and what to avoid. There was clear labeling. My son always carries his EPI or AUVI-Q with him. The UCMB coordinates with the dining services office for their meals during the preseason and season and while they are traveling. They do this prior to the beginning of every school year. Since he attends UCONN, we cannot go without mentioning the incredibly popular UCONN Dairy Bar. Each time he goes, he advises them about his tree nut allergy. They always use a clean scoop and a new bin. They have a separate area for scooping treats for those with allergies. He’s never had any issues.”
@svm0927 who manages tree nut and fruit allergies
99. Bowling Green State University
Location: Bowling Green, Ohio
“I was able to speak to the dietitian on campus, and the head chef, and they cleared my doubts. My meals are completely customized to the foods that are safe for me, as well as the types of food I like and don’t like. All I have to do is email about an hour before I go and they have food ready for me each time. In addition, the dietitian on campus has arranged a teaching kitchen class for allergy students. Another great part of my experience is the fact that when I suggest something or have an issue, it is immediately acted upon. Last year, I asked if we could have more granola bars that I could eat in the little markets that we have on campus. A few weeks later, they were there, along with a bunch of other products from that brand. Food is a big piece of feeling at home, and I can gladly say that Bowling Green is my second home because of the people that have helped me feel safe enough to eat there.”
@felber6868 who manages peanut and grain allergies
100. University of Southern California
Location: Los Angeles, California
“The Parkside Apartment Cafeteria has the most allergy-friendly cafeteria I have ever seen!”
@laurynjones who manages peanut, tree nut, milk, fish, shellfish, kiwi, and chocolate allergies
