2021 FARE Campus Award Winners: Top Campuses for Food Allergies
FARE Campus Awards give colleges and universities another opportunity to reach our student community, while students, alumni and families can celebrate schools that go the extra mile.
Best Campus Dining Award - Tufts University
An expert panel of judges scored the nominations and the votes are in! The 2021 winner of the Best Campus Dining Award is ... Tufts University!
In 2019, Tufts University opened All9Free, a station free from the top 9 allergens, at one of their two residential dining halls. Their other dining hall is completely gluten, peanut and tree tree nut free, with an eye toward creating flavorful meals that focus on fresh, minimally processed ingredients cooked from scratch. Their focus on scratch cooking supports their ability to provide complete menu transparency and full ingredient information online.
In addition to these options available to every student, students with dietary restrictions can also use the Alternative Meal Program to custom order meals free from their allergens directly from chefs and produced on separate lines.
One Tufts student noted that these additions have led to increased flexibility and convenience for students with food allergies.
Honorable Mention for Best Campus Dining Award
Moravian University
Moravian University prides themselves in providing a safe and welcoming space for students managing food allergies, celiac disease and other dietary restrictions. Moravian recently renovated their main dining hall, The Star Campus Restaurant, with an eye toward serving this student population. They have added a Simple Servings station, which is free of 7 of the top 8 allergens, a MyZone area, which is a pantry offering a variety of gluten-free options, and a full online menu that is filterable by ingredients. This array of options helps students better navigate the dining hall and ensure they have plenty of menu options.
Moravian University is also the very first FARECheck Gold Certified university! Their commitment to their students with dietary restrictions shines through in everything they do.
Community Choice Award - BGSU
This year's Community Choice Award went to Bowling Green State University (BGSU). Not only does BGSU have a top 8 free station "Elimin8," they are known for the warm and welcoming environment they offer their students. Nominated by senior student Elena, she notes that BGSU culinary staff greet her by name and always with a smile.
“Once a quiet walk to get my food, soon became greetings of “hello” and the repetitive call of my name being passed on to staff members down through the kitchen like a line of dominoes- each person ready to help me get my meal, and letting everyone else know I was there. It was the best thing I could have asked for. When you go to college with food restrictions, you inherently have to put trust in the people who are making your food. Their greetings and smiles not only instilled trust in me, but made me feel like family.”
Elena also said that BGSU doesn’t just get food allergies, they go above and beyond to accommodate and make those with food allergies feel included. They are the epitome of a community.
Honorable Mention for Community Choice Award - James Madison University
Honorable Mention goes to James Madison University, which was nominated by Maureen, whose son attends.
“James Madison University connected him [my son] with the dietitian and the dining staff and accommodates him with chef-prepared meals on his schedule. JMU made it possible for my son to live on campus, eat safely and focus on his classes. The friendly dining staff has eliminated the worry that comes with eating out with multiple food allergies.”
Community Choice Nominees
While the voting is over and BGSU has been awarded the prestigious honor of Community Choice Winner, FARE wants to acknowledge all five colleges or universities that were chosen for voting based on nominations from the community.
Bowling Green State University
"Frequent visits to my neon green wall (in the kitchen) allowed for me to get to know a lot of the culinary staff. Once a quiet walk to get my food, soon became greetings of “hello” and the repetitive call of my name being passed on to staff members down through the kitchen like a line of dominoes- each person ready to help me get my meal and letting everyone else know I was there. It was the best thing I could have asked for. When you go to college with food restrictions, you inherently have to put trust in the people who are making your food. Their greetings and smiles not only instilled trust in me but made me feel like a family."
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
"My son is able to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner with multiple food allergies in the dining hall. All dining halls have online menus indicating ingredients with allergens clearly marked. He was also approved to have his own mini-fridge, able to have a car to shop for food and has met with the dietitian on making sure he is getting what he needs nutrient wise."
James Madison University
"James Madison University connected him [my son] with the dietitian and the dining staff and accommodates him with chef-prepared meals on his schedule. JMU made it possible for my son to live on campus, eat safely and focus on his classes. The friendly dining staff has eliminated the worry that comes with eating out with multiple food allergies."
University of Delaware
"UD has a fabulous allergen-friendly dining program. Their food service offers to meet with each student individually, provides a weekly menu that lists all allergens including gluten, has dedicated stations including a dedicated GF station, allows students to order ahead for take-out, and strives to ensure allergen-friendly food is available at all university events. Knowing my kids could eat safe, balanced meals was a huge peace of mind for me."
University of North Texas
"We got to eat there during UNT New Student & Family Orientation. WOW! The selection is great. The quality is great! They are REALLY committed to keeping the food allergic community safe! Dedicated equipment, trained staff, clear labels & info! The head of dining services was there & took the time to really talk to me & my husband about the whole set up - so informative & reassuring."