GFF College Dining Survey Responses

University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley

California

Colleges

Survey Date:

Jun 21, 2023

Survey 1 of 2

Student:

Junior

With:

Other

Student's Summary Assessment:

College Dining:

C+

Surrounding Area:

B+

Rationale for Grades Given

There are actually often many non-dairy options at the dining halls, however the quality and even safety of the food is questionable. I’d say my school’s dining halls provides a number of substitutes for people with food restrictions, but the food is not well made and possibly not safe to eat.

There are several dairy substitutes in most surrounding restaurants and cafes, however you almost always need to pay an extra dollar or so.

Details About this Student's Food Restrictions

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

1-3

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)

Lactose intolerance that causes severe stomach pain.

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?

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

None that I’m aware of. Berkeley doesn’t do a great job of advertising resources like these.

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

I would definitely raise food standards. We’ve had many instances of raw chicken, bugs and insects found in food and my friends have even found plastic or thumb tacs in their food. I’m sure my school would be open to suggestions, however I’m not sure that they’d act on them, at least not soon.

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

I use milk and dairy alternatives such as oat milk and lactose free milk. Though, I often need to pay more for these substitutes which doesn’t seem fair.

Advice for Incoming Students:

Housing:

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

No, but after experiencing the dining halls, Clark Kerr’s dining hall is by far the best. My favorite dorms are Unit 1 and Clark Kerr.

Dining Halls:

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

My favorite dining hall is Clark Kerr, and my least favorite is the rest of them, possibly Cafe 3 at the very bottom.

Meal Plans:

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

I recommend a meal plan for freshman year when you’re living in the dorms, but once you’re in an apartment/different housing that you’re able to cook in, I wouldn’t recommend a meal plan.

Dorms:

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

My friends like the pizza place that’s inside the Peet’s Coffee by Crossroads dining hall, and I usually avoid the chicken.

Getting Started:

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

Invest in some instant ramen or miso packets and a water boiler, and use flex dollars (from your meal plan) to purchase food at the Bear Market and Golden Bear Cafe!

Socializing:

Advice on managing parties or dinners out with friends?

Definitely keep a balance, but freshman year don’t be afraid to let yourself go out a little more to meet people and make friends.

Other:

Any other advice or comments?

Meal Plans:

GFF College Dining Survey Responses

University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley

California

Survey Date:

Jun 21, 2023

Survey 1 of 2

Student:

Junior

With:

Other

Student's Summary Assessment:

College Dining:

C+

Surrounding Area:

B+

Rationale for Grades Given

Details About this Student's Food Restrictions

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

1-3

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)

Lactose intolerance that causes severe stomach pain.

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?

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

None that I’m aware of. Berkeley doesn’t do a great job of advertising resources like these.

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

I use milk and dairy alternatives such as oat milk and lactose free milk. Though, I often need to pay more for these substitutes which doesn’t seem fair.

Advice for Incoming Students:

Housing:

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

No, but after experiencing the dining halls, Clark Kerr’s dining hall is by far the best. My favorite dorms are Unit 1 and Clark Kerr.

Dining Halls:

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

My favorite dining hall is Clark Kerr, and my least favorite is the rest of them, possibly Cafe 3 at the very bottom.

Meal Plans:

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

I recommend a meal plan for freshman year when you’re living in the dorms, but once you’re in an apartment/different housing that you’re able to cook in, I wouldn’t recommend a meal plan.

Dorms:

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

My friends like the pizza place that’s inside the Peet’s Coffee by Crossroads dining hall, and I usually avoid the chicken.

Getting Started:

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

Invest in some instant ramen or miso packets and a water boiler, and use flex dollars (from your meal plan) to purchase food at the Bear Market and Golden Bear Cafe!

Socializing:

Advice on managing parties or dinners out with friends?

Definitely keep a balance, but freshman year don’t be afraid to let yourself go out a little more to meet people and make friends.

Other:

Any other advice or comments?

​

Meal Plans: