Personalize the Menu
A Closer Look at Dietary Diversity on Campus
By: Yasmeen Awwad
Having allergies and dietary restrictions can make eating anything other than home cooked meals nerve wracking. Students with allergies and dietary restrictions can find their move to campus challenging. Whether they are living on campus or commuting students will almost certainly eat on campus for at least one of their daily meals. So how can students with different dietary needs feel safe eating on campus?
When talking to CJ Clark, a junior on campus with a peanut allergy, he stated, “I dont eat full meals because of [his allergy] and I usually end up getting candy or snacks instead of actually getting food.” Packaged and processed foods include ingredient lists while the food made on campus aren’t always labeled with ingredients; Clark feels safer choosing processed foods even though they are more unhealthy or skipping campus dining options all together and bringing food from home.
CSUMB dining options clearly note on their menus that they accommodate vegan and vegetarian options in all dining locations. Alternative milk options are offered in the Otter Express for purchase, or at the Cafe in the library. At the dining commons there is a station with allergy friendly food options. However most other accommodations are not listed as available. This could be discouraging for those with other allergies and restrictions. Just because options are not explicitly listed or advertised to students doesn’t mean they aren’t offered on campus.
After speaking with CSUMB dietician Jacqueline Ernst-Smith, she was able to shine light on the ways students with allergies and dietary concerns can self-advocate and seek guidance on how to navigate dining options on campus. “We don’t [list the allergens] because we strongly encourage the students to talk with us when you have food allergies. Don’t navigate it yourself. Right? Communicate with us.” By opening up a dialogue between students and a dietitian or trained staff students are able to be accommodated on a more intimate level, helping to create a custom plan around each student’s unique needs.
Through the Otter kitchens website, students with a meal plan are able to login and apply for a “Don’t be shy” card. By filling out the form with your information and dietary requirements management staff will be alerted of students’ allergy needs. A card is provided to students to give to dining associates allowing students to experience personalized service in the dining halls.
Having these resources available are great but it’s vital that staff is adequately trained in regards to allergies. When asking Ernst-Smith if staff is adequately informed, she stated that new employees receive allergy training. They are also informed on food intolerances, dietary restrictions and cultural sensitivities. Associates are reminded daily at pre-service meetings before shifts as well. Management and culinary staff complete FARE Certified allergy training and additional cross contamination training. According to Ernst-Smith, there will always be Management staff available on site at each dining location to answer questions or concerns for individuals with specific dietary needs.
Dining services do their best to market their new options to students through social media posts, video clips, and in house signage. However there is always room for improvement. It is important for students to feel that their needs are not only met but that their input on how to improve their experiences on campus are also valued. Feedback is encouraged by dining services and they offer different avenues of communication to receive feedback from students.
Ernst-Smith states, “We love to collaborate with students and regularly solicit feedback from them to understand their needs and preferences.” When they hear directly from students, especially ones with dietary restrictions, they are able to better understand and cater to those needs.
For student’s interest in leaving feedback and reviews on dining services they may do so one of the following ways. Those who wish to give feedback in regards to dining services in general may do so on the Otter kitchen website under the “comments, questions, concerns and more” tab. For those with allergies or dietary restrictions who wish to give feedback or have suggestions on ways to improve they can contact Jacqueline Ernst-Smith directly.
