BOONE, N.C. — Navigating a new dining environment can be challenging for college students, especially for those managing food allergies or other dietary restrictions. Appalachian State University’s Campus Dining continues to expand resources designed to make the experience easier, including greater menu transparency, specialized dining options, individual nutrition support and orientation programing — efforts that have garnered App State national recognition.

For the third consecutive year, the university was recognized by Spokin, ranking No. 2 on its 2026 list of “Top 100 Food Allergy-Friendly Colleges” — a three-position jump from its No. 5 ranking in 2025 and the highest-ranked public institution on the list.

In addition, Campus Dining received a gold award for Outreach and Education Program of the Year and silver award for Special Diet Program of the Year from the National Association of College and University Food Services.

For Campus Dining Executive Director Elizabeth Riede, the recognition reflects an ongoing effort to listen to students and continue adapting the dining experience around their needs.

“We have introduced a lot of resources and changes based on what we’ve learned from our students and from the people who work with them every day,” Riede said. “The recognition is meaningful, but what matters most is continuing to identify where barriers exist and finding practical ways to make dining on campus easier, safer and more welcoming.”

A commitment to safe, inclusive dining

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.

In its annual rankings list, Spokin highlighted institutions with “dedicated allergen-free dining halls and stations, allergen menus, knowledgeable staff and their willingness to make accommodations,” the organization said in a statement.

According to Riede, App State Director of Nutrition Farrah Reidt has been a game changer in developing allergy-friendly resources in the university’s dining halls.

Reidt 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 denotes other dietary information.

Nutrislice menus are displayed on television screens at the entrance of App State’s All Access dining spaces and above each dining station. 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 apron or badge. For guests who need to avoid gluten, a “worry-free station” is available at each dining hall with a separate fridge that is stocked with 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.”

Designing support around the student experience

Over the summer, App State Campus Dining received two awards from the National Association of College and University Food Services, earning gold for Outreach and Education Program of the Year and silver for Special Diet Program of the Year.

The university was recognized with the Outreach and Education Program of the Year award for its dining orientation program, “The Scoop.” The monthlong program helps ease the transition to college for first-year students through interactive and supportive activities, including guided tours and personalized support, such as nutrition and dietary guidance.

The university earned the Special Diet Program of the Year award for its specialized dining options that prioritize safety and transparency for students with food allergies and other dietary restrictions.

“These honors give us an opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come while continuing to look ahead,” Riede said. “We’re always thinking about what our students will need from us next and how we can continue to improve their experience.”

The Savor station in Rivers Street Cafe, which is free from the top nine food allergens and gluten, was a key component of the award-winning program. While full menu transparency is provided, Savor is intentionally not marketed as an allergen-free station. This approach broadens its appeal beyond students with food allergies to include student-athletes, plant-forward eaters and everyday diners.

“I really appreciate the Savor station,” said App State alumna and former student body president Nicole Tran ’26. “They make it easy to try new flavors while still feeling customizable and accessible. The intentional, inclusive approach really stands out, and I’ve seen how much it matters for students to feel considered in everyday spaces like dining.”

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Campus Dining

Campus Dining is committed to serving the Appalachian community using sustainable practices, creative and intentional menu planning, and constantly engaging in the ever-changing dialogue surrounding food.

Learn more

App State chefs claim Cutthroat Kitchen title

App State chefs Michael Wiles and Christopher Estep brought home the championship title at the Cutthroat Kitchen competition during the 2026 Chef Culinary Conference at the University of Massachusetts, showcasing their creativity, adaptability and culinary expertise on a national stage.

The annual competition challenges chefs to think quickly and perform under pressure as they navigate surprise obstacles, limited resources and unconventional cooking scenarios. Competing against culinary professionals from across the country, Wiles and Estep relied on teamwork, technical skill and innovation to secure the victory.

Their win highlights the talent within App State Campus Dining’s culinary team and its commitment to professional development and culinary excellence — both on campus and beyond.

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, cost-effective education. 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.