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GFF College Dining Survey Responses

San José State University

San Jose

California

Survey Date:

Aug 14, 2023

Survey 1 of 1

Student:

Junior

With:

Peanut Allergy, Tree Nut Allergy

Student's Summary Assessment:

College Dining:

B+

Surrounding Area:

B

Rationale for Grades Given

Lots of restaurants that don’t use nuts, bur ones that do have small kitchens with high chance of cross contamination. Some employees are very cautious and will show me exactly how they are keeping it safe, but some employees just say “ok” and make the food normally.

Lots of restaurants that don’t use nuts, but ones that do have small kitchens with high chance of cross contamination. Some employees are very cautious and will show me exactly how they are keeping it safe, but some employees just say “ok” and make the food normally.

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)

Life threatening anaphylactic shock when eaten, need epi-pen and hospital

Details About this Student's College Dining Experience

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

Totally yes, was what I expected

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

NO

If Yes, describe each incident and how your school responded

​

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

No

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

Yes, some dieticians are available

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

Have at least one kitchen completely free of most common allergens

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

People often don’t understand that my allergies are more severe than something like lactose intolerance

Advice for Incoming Students:

Housing:

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

My first year, I ended up with a roommate who was also allergic to nuts, but if you are sharing a space, make sure your roommates(s) are aware. Later I had a roommate who loved Nutella so she created a “quarantine” shelf that was too tall for me to reach where she kept anything containing nuts.

Dining Halls:

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

I am a huge fan of Taco Bell bc they don’t use any nuts at all. I usually avoid Jamba Juice, but one time I went and a really kind employee let me watch them grab and clean every ingredient and utensil. I’m not a huge fan of the food in the dining commons, but the burrito place there doesn’t use any nuts.

Meal Plans:

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

My first year, I had the mandatory 5 day meal plan, but I stopped using it completely after that.

Dorms:

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

The kitchen in the dorms was small and people often didn’t clean up after themselves so I completely avoided the dorm kitchen and found a lot of microwave meals or things I could make without a stove. There’s also a really good taco truck down the street called Antojitos (no nuts at all in kitchen) and as a bonus they have some good deals on weekdays.

Getting Started:

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

I taught all of my friends how to use an epi-pen and I would kind of jokingly quiz them in it until it became sort of a bit, but now all my friends know how to use an epi-pen

Socializing:

Advice on managing parties or dinners out with friends?

I just kind of never eat anything that I have not read the label on, and if I’m eating with people I will teach them how to use an epi-pen

Other:

Any other advice or comments?

Idk, if you feel like having a food allergy buddy stop by the theatre club sometime :)

Meal Plans:

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