GFF College Dining Survey Responses

Bryn Mawr College

Delaware County

Pennsylvania

Colleges

Survey Date:

Jul 1, 2026

Survey 1 of 1

Student:

Senior

With:

Egg Allergy, Tree Nut Allergy, Other

Student's Summary Assessment:

College Dining:

D

Surrounding Area:

A+

Rationale for Grades Given

I have had several reactions that took me to the hospital to the college's dining hall food and ultimately was forced to move off campus to get off the meal plan unfortunately changing my college experience drastically.

There are great grocery stores nearby (but having a car is nice to get to them) and some amazing restaurants.

Details About this Student's Food Restrictions

How many years ago were you diagnosed with food allergies or celiac disease?

5+

If you indicated celiac or gluten intolerance, how sensitive are you to gluten?

Add details to help us better understand your food restrictions (e.g. sensitivity level, potential reaction, need for EPI pen)

I am anaphylactic to tree nuts and need an epipen. I need extensive rest and antihistamines for egg reactions. I also have Oral Allergy Syndrome.

Details About this Student's College Dining Experience

Does your college handle food restrictions as you expected when you decided to attend?

Not at all what I expected

Have you had a reation from eating in your dining hall?

YES

If Yes, describe each incident and how your school responded

The school wanted me to send them an email every time I had a reaction and I did but nothing changed.

Did you register your food restriction with the disabilities office? If yes, describe

Yes,

Are there resources to help with nutritious, safe dining (e.g. dietician)? If yes, describe

Not really! They exist but they are largely not helpful and unable to full accommodate the needs of an allergic individual.

If you were in charge of dining, what would you change? Would your school be open to suggestions?

I would make one of the dining halls completely nut free and offer more vegan options, as well as expand the "free room" and restrict access to it to only students with food allergies and celiac, creating an alternate space for people with eating disorders and other restrictions. I would also add epipens to both dining halls, and create kitchen spaces in the dorms.

Describe your biggest challenge managing your food restrictions at college and how you deal with it

Finding a way to get off the meal plan. It took many doctors notes and working with housing and accommodations instead of dining because the dining program was less accommodating.

Advice for Incoming Students:

Housing:

Did your food restrictions impact your housing decisions? Any dorm recommendations

Yes, all students are typically required to live on campus but they do not allow you to live on campus and not participate in the meal plan because there are no on campus kitchens open for use whenever. This made it impossible for me to stay on campus, and I had to apply for an exception to the residency requirement.

Dining Halls:

Any advice for managing dining halls? Favorite dining halls? Any to avoid?

Erdman deals with allergies much better than New Dorm because some of the lines are not self serve (less cross contamination), and they have a small "free room" that includes some allergen friendly snacks. The choices are very limited and whether or not they are safe vary highly on your allergies, most of the food is vegan or nut free, but not both which made it very difficult to find safe food (and I was never able to find meals).

Meal Plans:

Describe your meal plans over the year(s). What's mandatory? Any suggestions?

It's mandatory to be enrolled in the meal plan if you want to live on campus. Living off campus is much better for my allergies, but it is isolating and separates you from a lot of campus life.

Dorms:

Any advice for eating in the dorms? Favorite snacks? Places that deliver?

There are many allergy-aware and allergy-safe restaurants nearby (namely Snap Custom Pizza!) that deliver to campus. I am also a big fan of Made Good Granola bars and was able to cook small meals in my dorm with a hot plate (not allowed) and fridge (allowed).

Getting Started:

What should students do before school starts or when they first arrive?

Ensure that you talk not only with the dietition (unable to do much) but also the head of dining (helpful!!) to ensure that you get the accommodations that they offer like access to the "free room" and taking food from the supply rooms. Also make sure you have your own mini fridge and a hot water kettle (and a hot plate if you're feeling daring).

Socializing:

Advice on managing parties or dinners out with friends?

I didn't find this to be an issue. Bryn Mawr is not a party school and many of the restaurants in Bryn Mawr town are allergy aware.

Other:

Any other advice or comments?

Bryn Mawr is an awesome school for so many reasons, but not for food allergies! If you have severe allergies, be prepared to pay double for food (the meal plan and groceries) or move off campus (cheaper based on rent alone, not including groceries/meal plan).

Meal Plans:

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GFF College Dining Survey Responses

Bryn Mawr College

Delaware County

Pennsylvania

Survey Date:

Jul 1, 2026

Survey 1 of 1

Student:

Senior

With:

Egg Allergy, Tree Nut Allergy, Other

Student's Summary Assessment:

College Dining:

D

Surrounding Area:

A+

Rationale for Grades Given

Details About this Student's Food Restrictions

How many years ago were you diagnosed with food allergies or celiac disease?

5+

If you indicated celiac or gluten intolerance, how sensitive are you to gluten?

​

Add details to help us better understand your food restrictions (e.g. sensitivity level, potential reaction, need for EPI pen)

I am anaphylactic to tree nuts and need an epipen. I need extensive rest and antihistamines for egg reactions. I also have Oral Allergy Syndrome.

Details About this Student's College Dining Experience

Does your college handle food restrictions as you expected when you decided to attend?

Not at all what I expected

Have you had a reation from eating in your dining hall?

YES

If Yes, describe each incident and how your school responded

The school wanted me to send them an email every time I had a reaction and I did but nothing changed.

Did you register your food restriction with the disabilities office? If yes, describe

Yes,

Are there resources to help with nutritious, safe dining (e.g. dietician)? If yes, describe

Not really! They exist but they are largely not helpful and unable to full accommodate the needs of an allergic individual.

If you were in charge of dining, what would you change? Would your school be open to suggestions?

Describe your biggest challenge managing your food restrictions at college and how you deal with it

Finding a way to get off the meal plan. It took many doctors notes and working with housing and accommodations instead of dining because the dining program was less accommodating.

Advice for Incoming Students:

Housing:

Did your food restrictions impact your housing decisions? Any dorm recommendations

Dining Halls:

Any advice for managing dining halls? Favorite dining halls? Any to avoid?

Meal Plans:

Describe your meal plans over the year(s). What's mandatory? Any suggestions?

It's mandatory to be enrolled in the meal plan if you want to live on campus. Living off campus is much better for my allergies, but it is isolating and separates you from a lot of campus life.

Dorms:

Any advice for eating in the dorms? Favorite snacks? Places that deliver?

There are many allergy-aware and allergy-safe restaurants nearby (namely Snap Custom Pizza!) that deliver to campus. I am also a big fan of Made Good Granola bars and was able to cook small meals in my dorm with a hot plate (not allowed) and fridge (allowed).

Getting Started:

What should students do before school starts or when they first arrive?

Socializing:

Advice on managing parties or dinners out with friends?

I didn't find this to be an issue. Bryn Mawr is not a party school and many of the restaurants in Bryn Mawr town are allergy aware.

Other:

Any other advice or comments?

Bryn Mawr is an awesome school for so many reasons, but not for food allergies! If you have severe allergies, be prepared to pay double for food (the meal plan and groceries) or move off campus (cheaper based on rent alone, not including groceries/meal plan).

Meal Plans: