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GFF College Dining Survey Responses
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame
Indiana
Survey Date:
Oct 4, 2025
Survey 1 of 2
Student:
Junior
With:
Peanut Allergy, Shellfish Allergy, Tree Nut Allergy, Other
Student's Summary Assessment:
College Dining:
A
Surrounding Area:
A
Rationale for Grades Given
Campus dining is constantly improving and becoming for allergy-conscious.
Campus dining is continuously evolving. With the new allergen friendly kitchen and the ability to pre-order safe meals when I feel the dining hall may not have options that I can eat that day makes it so that I am always able to find a safe meal on campus.
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 peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, and buckwheat and carry api-pens on me at all times. My nut allergies are airborne and I cannot touch surfaces that have traces of my allergies.
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
Yes. I registered with the Sara Bea Center for disabilities the summer before freshman year
Are there resources to help with nutritious, safe dining (e.g. dietician)? If yes, describe
There is a campus nutritionist and dietician who oversees the allergen training and protocols within the dining hall, all on-campus restaurants have allergy menu QR codes, each dining hall has a gluten-free section separate from general dining, there is a food allergy club called Food Allergy Advocacy of Notre Dame, and we recently developed a new allergen-free kitchen location on campus accessible only to students with allergies and intolerances.
If you were in charge of dining, what would you change? Would your school be open to suggestions?
I think I would change the school's Grab n Go meal system to make the meals all allergy-friendly, or provide a top 9-free option only to students with allergies.
Describe your biggest challenge managing your food restrictions at college and how you deal with it
The biggest challenge with managing food restrictions is probably with the sports stadium concessions and not campus dining themselves. The concession stands (which are operated by a separate company) do not have clear allergen menus stated, making it difficult to eat at sports events. Because of this, I simply just don't eat at the events.
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?
The school has the daily menu for the week online with the extensive lists of all ingredients. This is so useful and allows me to pre-plan what I will eat, and if I feel safe eating at the dining hall (for example, I can look ahead of time and see if they are serving peanut curry). I personally feel North Dining Hall is more allergy friendly because it is more spacious and the different food sections are spread out more.
Meal Plans:
Describe your meal plans over the year(s). What's mandatory? Any suggestions?
Dorms:
Any advice for eating in the dorms? Favorite snacks? Places that deliver?
Use your own personal cooking supplies when cooking and store it in your room rather than the kitchen. The communal supplies is not always clean and if you leave your personal pots and pans out, others will use them.
Getting Started:
What should students do before school starts or when they first arrive?
Socializing:
Advice on managing parties or dinners out with friends?
Make sure all of your friends know about your allergies and their severity, and always let them know where your epi-pens are in the event of a reaction. Make sure EVERYONE knows about your allergies.
Other:
Any other advice or comments?
Meal Plans:
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