Food Allergies and Dietary Accommodations

Campus Dining Nutrition Team

The Campus Dining nutrition team is here to help you manage your dietary needs on campus. We personally review ingredients, recipes, and menus for allergens and label foods so allergens are easy to identify.

If you have any questions or issues relating to food allergies, specialized dietary requirements, or nutrition, please email mealtalk@syr.edu to arrange for a personal consultation.

Food Allergy Labeling

Menu labels display allergen information and help identify foods for special diets.

  • Food that comes from our commissary is made in a peanut- and tree-nut free facility (except coconut).
  • Peanut butter portion cups and almond milk are available in the dining centers.
  • If you have a question about food allergies or would like to meet with someone one-on-one to discuss your concerns, you can contact our dietitian, Ashley Leone. She will talk you about your meal options and can walk you through a dining center to get a sense of what you can be comfortable with eating.

If you have celiac disease, Campus Dining staff can assist you when eating on campus. All staff has been Allertrain® certified, our dining centers have separate gluten free prep and serving areas to minimize cross contact, and we welcome your suggestions for specific foods that you like.

When you arrive on campus, check in with the dietitian and your dining center manager. Take this opportunity to discuss the types of gluten free foods you eat regularly. We will work with our vendors to provide products you prefer whenever possible. If they are unavailable, we will provide a close substitute.

Gluten free student ambassadors are also available to meet one-on-one with new students to help guide them through eating on and around campus. This service is available upon request.

Students with dietary preferences such as vegetarian and vegan are accommodated in all our dining centers.

  • A wide variety of vegetarian and/or vegan items are served at each meal.
  • Menu items are clearly labeled in the dining centers.
  • Our online menu identifies items as being vegetarian or vegan and can be filtered to show only these items to the user.
  • Supplemental vegan options like dairy alternative products and protein options are available but vary by location.

If you have a favorite vegetarian or vegan recipe or food item that you would like us to serve, send your idea to mealtalk@syr.edu.

Syracuse University Campus Dining also provides kosher and halal meals to students. If you are interested in kosher meals, we encourage you to contact the manager at Shaw Dining Center for more information, 315.443.2383.

All our dining centers carry dairy-free alternative such as soy milk, almond milk, dairy-free cheeses, yogurts, and sour cream. These items are readily available in the dairy case. If you have any questions about dairy free choices, contact your dining center manager for assistance.

Here is a video about eating gluten free at Syracuse University.

Cross-Contact Prevention

Campus Dining staff receive comprehensive training on cross-contact prevention for food allergies. Kitchen protocols require staff to avoid shared surfaces with allergen-containing foods and to ensure that all production areas are regularly cleaned and sanitized to remove traces of food allergens.

In our self-service dining centers, cross-contact can occur when other students unknowingly contaminate food with an undisclosed allergen. If you are concerned about allergens or cross-contact, we can make you a meal at the back of the house. Work with our dietitian and your dining center manager to establish a meal schedule.

Online Menu

You can find our online menu here: Daily Menu and Nutrition. If you have a food allergy, this menu will help you plan your meal before you go to the dining center. The menu clearly indicates which foods are vegan, vegetarian, and which contain the “Big 9” food allergens.

Special Orders

If you would like to request a particular food item, talk to your dining center manager. We will do our best to accommodate your requests. A 24-hour notice is required for all special orders.

Communication is Key

If you are unsure about a particular product or its ingredients, please ask a staff member. If they are unable to answer your question, they will find someone who can help you. Or email us at: mealtalk@syr.edu

Be Prepared

If you have food allergies, Celiac disease, or other dietary needs, options available to you include:

  • Fill out the Dietary Accommodation Request form before arriving on campus, so we can better serve your needs.
  • Obtain appropriate and up-to-date allergy medication if prescribed and always carry it.
  • Wear a MedicAlert® bracelet or other type of identification that alerts others of your allergy in case of an emergency.
  • Know whom to call in case of an emergency:
    • *711 from a campus phone
    • *911 from an off-campus phone
    • *#SU from a cellphone with local service

Other Resources

If you have an allergy to a food item that is not one of the “Big 9”, please contact us at mealtalk@syr.edu.