GFF College Dining Survey Responses

Pomona College

Claremont

California

Colleges

Survey Date:

Aug 5, 2020

Survey 1 of 1

Student:

Junior

With:

Celiac Disease

Student's Summary Assessment:

College Dining:

C+

Surrounding Area:

B

Rationale for Grades Given

Allergens are labled but there's cross-contamination so you never know it you can actually eat things labled gluten-free. Also, the gluten-free options are not varied enough to be healthy long-term. There is a gluten free corner with cookies, donuts, bread, and rice cakes, and one of the dining halls makes a guaranteed-gluten-free dish every meal but it's almost always the same.

There are options in the village and they are good but also a bit expensive. Some crust does gluten free cookies

Details About this Student's Food Restrictions

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

Less than 1

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

Very: React to small amounts

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

I get pain-nausea-fatigue from small amounts of gluten and discomfort from trace amount (like cross-contamination in the kitchen).

Details About this Student's College Dining Experience

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

Somewhat 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

Only one severe incident after I was disgnosed and it was completly my fault: I forgot that breaded fish would have gluten. I ended up with pain-nausea-fatigue. I did not bother mentioning it to the school because it wouldn't have happened it I'd been paying attention. There were many minor incidences with cross-contamination and I would often end up with more minor symptoms after eating in the dining halls.

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

Yes, in my fourth semester (when I was diafnosed) I got accomodations from the Accessibility Services of campus to not have a meal plan.

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

Yes, there is a nutritionist on staff who will work with students who have celiac/allergies/dietary restrictions. Also, the chef would be willing to work with you too.

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

Do more to prevent/eliminate cross-contamination so people can eat without risk. Ensure enough variety in gluten-free foods to provide a balanced diet.

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

There were not many options for gluten free meals in the dining halls and a risk of cross-contamination. I would sometimes get food that claimed to be gluten free and still feel bad.

Advice for Incoming Students:

Housing:

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

No. All students have to have a meal plan unless they get approval from accessibility services to opt out. Students living off campus get 5 meals/week, students on campus get 12, 14, or 16 plus on-campus spending money.

Dining Halls:

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

Frary will get you something actually gluten free but they only ever have one option. Frank and Oldy don't do this so eat at your own risk. The veggy bar tends to be safe.

Meal Plans:

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

I had the large (default) meal plan my first semester. I downgraded to the small meal plan for the next three semester, the last of which I spent working to get exempt from the meal plan altogether because the dining halls could not gauruntee a lack of cross-contamination.

Dorms:

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

Dorm building kitchens are not equipt with cooking supplies so I would recommend getting a hot pot and a pan.

Getting Started:

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

Contact the nutritionist to ask their advice, maybe also accessibility services before school starts so that if you need to not be eating in the dining halls you can get accommodations for that quickly.

Socializing:

Advice on managing parties or dinners out with friends?

Just don't eat or drink anything

Other:

Any other advice or comments?

The on campus store doesn't have too many options but on the weekend there is a farmers market in the village were you can get lots of good produce and eggs. Also, you can eat in the other 5c dining halls and they will all be slightly different

Meal Plans: