GFF College Dining Survey Responses

University of Wisconsin

Madison

Wisconsin

Colleges

Survey Date:

Nov 17, 2024

Survey 1 of 2

Student:

Freshman

With:

Celiac Disease

Student's Summary Assessment:

College Dining:

A

Surrounding Area:

A+

Rationale for Grades Given

The dining halls do a very good job labeling the allergens of every food option that is available. They have an app you can download on your phone so you can see which food options are available ahead of time. I would say they have a good amount of options, however the food sometimes can get repetitive, but that was expected with dining hall food. At Gordons, they have a sandwich station which they prepare your food in a safe area and have a separate toaster. They also have gluten free pizza and pasta which is cooked in separate areas. Memorial Union also has really good pizza which is made in a safe way.

The restaurants on campus do a very good job accommodating for people who are gluten free. Many popular restaurants have a separate gluten free menu. Even if your friends want to go to a restaurant you can't eat at, there is usually one you can eat at right across the street if you are hungry.

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?

Not Very: Usually do not know if exposed

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

I take my gluten free diet very seriously. I don't get symptoms when I am cross contaminated though.

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

The school does a good job setting up the dining halls so you can navigate them on your own. They also have dieticians you can meet with if you need extra help of information.

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

If I was in charge of the dining, I would create a gluten allergen label. They have a label that says if a food is free of the top 9 allergens which includes wheat. They also have a label that indicates if wheat is present in a food. I would add a label that indicates if gluten is present in the food though.

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

I don't really have any challenges. I would say it is sometimes inconvenient when my friends want to go to a restaurant that I can't eat at, but other than that I can't think of anything.

Advice for Incoming Students:

Housing:

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

No

Dining Halls:

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

I go to Gordons because it is closest to my dorm. It is also one of the larger dining halls so it has more options for people with allergies. I would say find a dining hall that you like and stick to it just so you don't have to waste time looking around and figuring out what you can or cannot eat.

Meal Plans:

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

I got the unlimited meal plan this year. You can swipe into the dining halls as much as you want. It also allows you to use 6 meal exchanges a week. Meal exchanges are when you use a swipe at a campus restaurant. This meal plan also comes with $450 you can use at those campus restaurants or a campus market which is like a mini grocery store.

Dorms:

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

The dining halls close at 8:30 so I always make sure I have snacks in the room incase I get hungry. I use my meal exchanges to get a free microwavable meal each day at the markets and then save them in my freezer for when I get hungry at night. There are a lot of restaurants on campus that also deliver or are open till late.

Getting Started:

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

Check out a few of the nearby dining halls and see which ones you like. Also, look for a head chef in the dining halls if you have any questions or meet with a dietician.

Socializing:

Advice on managing parties or dinners out with friends?

Its pretty easy to eat out with friends because most of the popular restaurants have gf options. Ian's, Nitty Gritty, Luchador, Chipotle, Estacion Inka... all have great options.

Other:

Any other advice or comments?

Go to the restaurants at Memorial Union and use your dining dollars, also eat out every once and a while so you don't good tired of eating the same food at the dining halls.

Meal Plans:

GFF College Dining Survey Responses

University of Wisconsin

Madison

Wisconsin

Survey Date:

Nov 17, 2024

Survey 1 of 2

Student:

Freshman

With:

Celiac Disease

Student's Summary Assessment:

College Dining:

A

Surrounding Area:

A+

Rationale for Grades Given

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?

Not Very: Usually do not know if exposed

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

I take my gluten free diet very seriously. I don't get symptoms when I am cross contaminated though.

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

The school does a good job setting up the dining halls so you can navigate them on your own. They also have dieticians you can meet with if you need extra help of information.

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 don't really have any challenges. I would say it is sometimes inconvenient when my friends want to go to a restaurant that I can't eat at, but other than that I can't think of anything.

Advice for Incoming Students:

Housing:

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

No

Dining Halls:

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

I go to Gordons because it is closest to my dorm. It is also one of the larger dining halls so it has more options for people with allergies. I would say find a dining hall that you like and stick to it just so you don't have to waste time looking around and figuring out what you can or cannot eat.

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?

Getting Started:

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

Check out a few of the nearby dining halls and see which ones you like. Also, look for a head chef in the dining halls if you have any questions or meet with a dietician.

Socializing:

Advice on managing parties or dinners out with friends?

Its pretty easy to eat out with friends because most of the popular restaurants have gf options. Ian's, Nitty Gritty, Luchador, Chipotle, Estacion Inka... all have great options.

Other:

Any other advice or comments?

Go to the restaurants at Memorial Union and use your dining dollars, also eat out every once and a while so you don't good tired of eating the same food at the dining halls.

Meal Plans: