A student led Food Allergy Initiate that is! I stumbled upon this student written blog about Student Advisor written in 2011, by a student from Student Advisor! I was impressed with Susannah Faulkner’s blog about attending college with Celiac Disease (no wheat or gluten) and a dairy allergy. She writes for “Food (Allergy) Fight: Safe Student Dining Right”. Her college did not have an Initiate and she helped start one that ended up with Gluten Free pantry on campus plus she co-founded the IC Food Allergy Awareness Club. I found her simple step-by-step plan and suggestions to be clean, clear and efficient. Most of all, she made it all sound so workable!
Even though Susannah’s blog was written a few years ago, the concepts are still valid and worth starting discussion. We can’t have our food allergy and Celiac needs met unless we ask. Recently, food allergic and Celiac students at University of Nevada, Reno (Mass.) sued their school for not providing safe dining options. A settlement was reached under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities by public accommodations, including colleges and universities, in their full and equal enjoyment of goods, services, and facilities. An article in University business, The University of Alabama outlines what took place.
photo courtesy of The University of Alabama
University of Nevada, Reno has also stepped up to accommodate students with food allergies as reported in their publication, The Crimson White, The University of Alabama. Bravo to Bama!
One of the hardest things I find about managing both life threatening food allergies and asthma is talking to others. I hate to be the one that might be perceived as demanding, pushing or for asking too much. What I now know, fourteen years later, is that honest, clear information presented with kindness works!..
Well, I have great news for you! I sit on the board of the Food Allergy Center at the University of Michigan Hospital, and at our last meeting, we were told about their residential food program. It is revolutionary! The nutrition manager for the residential dining services came up with it. Kathy Whiteside took a group of nutrition students, holed up in the basement all summer, and cataloged every single ingredient of every single food item that is served in all of the dining halls. Then they put it online. It is unbelievable. If you are in your dorm and want to eat, you click on the dining menu page, click on what dorm you are in, click on your food restrictions, and lo and behold, a menu of all of the food YOU CAN EAT comes up. So, click on my nutrition on the right side, then tick off your allergies or restrictions, and on the left bar are the dining halls. Just click on any one as an example, and it will go to the menus. It is amazing. Here is the link: http://www.housing.umich.edu/dining/menus
But, like any other food establishment, always talk to the chef first, just to make sure. But it gives me hope that at least some universities are jumping on the food allergy bandwagon!
Incredible news!!! You are right, students still have to take responsibility but what a GREAT step in the right direction. I can’t wait to check out this link.
I truly appreciate your sharing this fabulous new as we kick off the weekend.
You will be happy to know that UNR has a variety of food options for everyone. I was pleasantly surprised by the assortment at the campus. One might have to walk a bit to get the perfect meal, but I was fortunate to have a back pack large enough for books and food from home.
Judie, nice to hear!
This is very interesting. Hooray for her!
What about roommates. There should be special dorms or sections for FA people so they can be safe and other students without FA do not have to change their snacking habits.
Do you think roommates are obligated to eat only allergy friendly foods?
Hi Wally,
From what I know, many food allergic students stay in single dorms rooms since it would not be appropriate to limit their roommates eating. A relative attended a college that had a special dorm for students with dietary needs. The dorm had a cook that prepared foods M-F and then left food to be-heated over the weekend. For my son, when he attends college, we’ll be looking at single room or off campus options. The food allergy student was then able to share a dorm with fellow FA students or could invite friends to room who could follow the dietary restrictions. Hope you have a great week.
Hi I have a son PA/TA going to college next year. I am concerned about sending him to cities like New Orleans because of the large use of peanut oil and nuts. I realize he would be safe with precautions on the amours but if he ventures into the city to “local restaurants” tge risk seems high. With so many great universities in the country I feel that he could and should look elsewhere to college. Advise please???
Hi Jill! College is something new to me. My son is in the 10th grade and we were actually discussing it this evening! Joanne LaSpinna, writes a food allergy blog called Food Allergy Assistant http://foodallergyassistant.blogspot.com/ and she is a college consultant! We are planning on having he speak to our son about college. This is a worry for our family too. If you email me, I can give you the email for a wonderful young man, Zac Chellini who attends Gozonga University with airborne peanut allergies. He has worked with the disabilities office to help him navigate college. He did extensive research on cities and schools that could meet his needs. I’d suggest contacting Joanne and Zac to hear their insights. This is new to me too–but we must address it. I know several universities have policies and are addressing food allergies. I agree about choosing a city that will be easy to maneuver too! Good luck! Email me if you want Zac’s email contact. He truly is trying to reach out help other kids who are on the same path.
Jill, I just realized that Allergic Living is going to discuss colleges in the fall issue! Here is a link to a chart they just created to compare some US colleges: http://allergicliving.com/?p=18947
This. Is. AWESOME. So glad that people are getting the word out and standing up for themselves!
Each day I believe things improve and more and more folks are standing up! Have a great day Rachel.
Hi – that’s me! Thank you so much for the kind words! I now serve as Strategic Sales Manager at Udi’s Gluten Free Foods and I help foodservice establishments properly serve to the gluten free community. Thank you so much for sharing info on the college initiatives – it is truly inspiring to see so many students and colleges making changes!
Oh my goodness! How Thrilling to hear from you. I just got goosebumps. I am so proud that you work for UDI’s Gluten Free Foods, you are walking your talk and are clearly still a leader!
Thanks for laying down some tracks, my own son is only 3 years away from college!
Good job and please stay in touch with us!
Thank you! I love what I do and I can only hope that it improves the lives of celiac students. Thanks again for featuring the college intiatives and all the best to your son!
SF