Food Allergy and Celiac College Student Survey submitted August 2022

Describe your food restrictions by checking all relevant boxes

Celiac Disease

Grade your college on feeding students with your food restrictions

D

Explain your rationale for that grade

Limited options and more than one instance of mislabeling non-gf food as gf

What stage are you in college?

Sophomore

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

5+

Please use this space to provide details that would help us better understand your food restrictions. Include your reaction if exposed to the foods you are avoiding. Please mention if you carry an epi-pen.

I do not carry an epi pen, I only avoid gluten

If you indicated that you have celiac disease or are gluten intolerant, how sensitive are you to gluten?

Very: React to small amounts

Does your college handle food restrictions as you expected they would when you selected your school?

Mostly not what I expected

Check all boxes that apply to your college experience

My school has only a few dining halls, Ability to feed me varies significantly across dining halls, I do not have sufficient options at any dining halls, Ability to eat well was a critical part of my college selection process, I asked alot of questions before I came but the reality was different

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

YES

Describe each incident. How did your school respond?

They promised improvement going into sophomore year

Please describe your meal plan for each year there so far. Include if your school required any of these decisions. If you are eating in a greek house or other club type arrangement include that as well.

Emerson is a small school with few dining halls. My meal plan involves 24 meals a week from this dining hall

Did you register your food restrictions with your students disabilities office for accommodations? If yes, describe.

Yes I did. I asked for more lenience on missing class due to Celiac flare ups or reactions

Are there resources (nutritionists, chefs, peer support groups) to help ensure you are receiving safe nutritious food? If yes, describe.

There are no resources provided to me that I trust

If you were in charge of your school's dining, what changes would you implement to better feed students with your food restrictions? Would your school be open to these suggestions?

More options and thorough allergy training. Emerson claims they are making these changes

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

It’s so incredibly socially isolating. Everyone goes out to eat and the way I deal with it is just by sitting there and drinking water

Did your food restrictions impact your housing decision? How? Is there a certain dorm you recommend for those with food restrictions? Why?

No it did not

What's your advice for managing the dining halls with your food restrictions? Favorite dining hall(s)? Any dining halls to avoid?

Never eat food made in the Max. Unless you’re eating something pre-packaged, make sure to ask about the allergy situation

What's your advice for eating in the dorm with your food restrictions? Favorite snacks? Places that deliver?

There’s a blaze pizza, chipotle and 7/11 on the same block as the dorms

What do you recommend new students with food restrictions do before school starts? Or when they first arrive?

Talk to housing, talk to the dining hall chef, talk to student services. Emerson will provide these

What's your advice on managing the party scene with your food restrictions?

Do not eat anything you didn’t bring with you

Grade your college town area for feeding people with your food restrictions

A-

Explain your grade. What are your favorite places to eat in town or foodshop?

As I said, blaze and chipotle are reliable favorites. There are also pricier restaurants that I have once or twice a year

Anything else you would like to add?

NA