BOONE, N.C. — At Appalachian State University, Campus Dining has taken recent steps to provide allergy-friendly menus and resources for those navigating dietary restrictions — part of its commitment to making the college dining experience as inclusive as possible.
This year, the university was recognized on a national scale for these efforts, ranking No. 10 on Spokin’s list of “Top 100 Food Allergy-Friendly Colleges” for 2024. App State was among the schools named to the list for the first time and is one of only two Spokin Verified Colleges to enter the top 10 this year.
“We have introduced a lot of resources and changes into Campus Dining, and we are so grateful that it is resonating with our students and the broader community,” said Campus Dining Executive Director Elizabeth Riede. “This top 10 ranking is such a great way to share the innovations in our program.”
App State students, faculty, staff and community members grab dinner at Rivers Street Cafe in Central Dining Hall during the university’s Community Appreciation Meal on Nov. 19. The event provided guests with a free, seasonal meal. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
A diner looks at the App State Rivers Street Cafe menu on the Nutrislice mobile app. Nutrislice is a digital menu transparency company that updates menus in real time to help diners navigate special diets or allergy restrictions. Photo submitted
Spokin is a food allergy app and lifestyle platform with a mission to make managing food allergies and celiac disease easier by connecting individuals with food allergies to safe foods, restaurants, bakeries, travel, recipes — and one another.
“These colleges offer students a safe home away from home with dedicated allergen-free dining halls and stations, allergen menus, knowledgeable staff and their willingness to make accommodations,” the organization said in a statement.
Riede said that App State’s new director of nutrition, Farrah Reidt, has been a game-changer in developing allergy-friendly resources in the university’s dining halls.
Farrah Reidt, director of nutrition in App State Campus Dining. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Reidt, who joined the Campus Dining staff in fall 2023, said she strives to make dining on campus safe for everyone, regardless of any dietary restrictions.
“Our team has put hard work, dedication and commitment into improving the dining experience for our guests with food allergies and other dietary restrictions,” said Reidt. “This accolade serves as a reminder that we must remain vigilant in our efforts to improve and innovate — always striving to raise the bar higher and set new standards of excellence.”
Under the leadership of Reidt, each App State dining hall introduced Nutrislice, an all-encompassing digital menu transparency company that updates menus in real time to help diners navigate special diets or allergy restrictions. The program uses a series of symbols that allows guests to identify which of the top nine food allergens are present in each menu item, and also designates items as vegan, halal and made with local or gluten-free ingredients.
Nutrislice menus are displayed on television screens at the entrance of App State’s All Access dining spaces. Students, faculty and staff can also download the Nutrislice phone app to view and filter menus in advance.
Additionally, Campus Dining has staff members trained and designated as “Allergy Resources,” who are available during all mealtimes and can be identified by a purple lanyard, apron or badge. For guests who need to avoid gluten or dairy, a “worry-free station” is available at each dining hall with a separate fridge that is stocked with dairy-free food and gluten-free items. Guests can also sign up for individual consultations with staff to review specific dining needs.
“Building a safe and inclusive program is a continuing priority for our team,” said Riede. “College dining can be intimidating as a new experience for many people, but especially those who are navigating the experience with life-threatening allergies. It’s important that we provide resources and trusted environments for our App State Community.”
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About Campus Dining
Campus Dining is owned and operated by Appalachian State University and offers dining services tailored to the campus community’s specific needs. With three dining facilities and daily catering events, Campus Dining provides opportunities for nourishment and also building and fostering relationships over shared meals and experiences. Campus Dining is committed to serving the Appalachian Community using sustainable practices such as local sourcing and contributing to campus composting and a constantly evolving partnership with the Office of Sustainability. Learn more at https://dining.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.
