GFF College Dining Survey Responses

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania

Colleges

Survey Date:

Mar 4, 2023

Survey 1 of 1

Student:

Sophomore

With:

Gluten Intolerance

Student's Summary Assessment:

College Dining:

F

Surrounding Area:

C

Rationale for Grades Given

UPenn has horrible food in general. They just received a bunch of health violations (over a hundred) on campus which is truly upsetting and when it comes to gluten-free, they are doing a very poor job. No GF pizza, pasta, waffles, chicken nuggets, good bread, etc... They have been contacted numerous times and it has not improved.

There are a few places near campus that are GF friendsly, but service in Philly is not good and they make mistakes and are unreliable.

Details About this Student's Food Restrictions

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

3-5

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

Moderate: React sometimes

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

I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and Celiac runs in my family. Once I removed gluten, my thyroid hormone levels greatly improved.

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

I honestly want to vomit most often from dining hall food. It's that bad! I won't go there anymore.

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

Yes but they are not easy to deal with

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

On the whole, no. They try and they talk to you but they don't do much. They blame food on supply chain issues.

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

I would completely hire a new catering company. I would use Cornells catering service!

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

It's just so bad that I refuse to go to the dining hall and just buy my own food off-campus.

Advice for Incoming Students:

Housing:

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

I have a kitchen now so the answer is yes. But housing is also an issue on campus now so you never know what you are going to get.

Dining Halls:

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

If you are Celiac, plan to spend a lot of your own money on food.

Meal Plans:

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

Freshmen and sophomores are mandatory meal plans. It's a huge waste of money for celiacs.

Dorms:

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

I make all my own food and buy GF snacks. Some places deliver but I have had issues with delivery too.

Getting Started:

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

Come prepared to manage your own food. You will not get support from the school.

Socializing:

Advice on managing parties or dinners out with friends?

Take charge, do your research, bring snacks, and source out good GF restaurants.

Other:

Any other advice or comments?

We are truly upset with the food situation at UPenn. It's a travesty for a prestigious school like this and they need to get their act together and work on fixing their horrible food situation. Students and families are very upset about it and no one wants to speak up. Upenn should hire new food catering and work with their Celiac students to make them feel good and not a nuisance -which is what they are doing. They absolutely need to do better!

Meal Plans: