University of Rhode Island (URI)

Verified
Dining Services
Made-to-order items
Made-to-order items
[Yes, for all stations]
How are ingredients available?
Table: Ingredient Info Availability
Top 8 allergens, online database
[Yes]
Full ingredients, online database
[No]
Top 8 allergens, a list is posted in the dining hall
[Yes]
Full ingredients, a list is posted in the dining hall
[No]
Top 8 allergens, available on request in the dining hall
[Yes]
Full ingredients, available on request in the dining hall
[Yes]

 
Top 8 Allergens
Full Ingredients

Other
The top 8 food allergens are indicated both on digital menu signage displayed in the dining halls and on our mobile app.
Specific areas

The Fusion Mediterranean and Asian Stir-Fry Station at Mainfare in Hope Commons has a digital kiosk which when selected will display both nutrient analysis and ingredient information for available food options.
Ingredient information is available upon request at URI's two Resident Dining Halls (Butterfield and Mainfare). Students may select from the following Made-to-Order stations: Deli, burrito, quesadilla, omelet, and Fusion grain bowl.

Additional Information

Students should inform the staff at every dining hall station of their food allergy or intolerance. Food service staff are trained to take cross-contact precautions, such as washing hands, putting on clean food-handler gloves, and use fresh product from containers that have not been used for the general population. Students may request that a special meal from the main kitchen be made for them separately.

1. We provide access to ingredient information for made-to-order* items. *Made-to-order - Meals that are prepared on request and to your specification in the dining hall. Examples include a sandwich station, omelet station, burrito station, etc.

Self-Serve Items
Self-Serve Items
[Yes, for all stations]
How are ingredients available?
Table: Ingredient Info Availability
Top 8 allergens, online database
[Yes]
Full ingredients, online database
[No]
Top 8 allergens, a list is posted in the dining hall
[Yes]
Full ingredients, a list is posted in the dining hall
[No]
Top 8 allergens, available on request in the dining hall
[Yes]
Full ingredients, available on request in the dining hall
[Yes]

 
Top 8 Allergens
Full Ingredients

Other
Dining Hall Managers and Principal Cooks will provide ingredient label info from any food item requested by a student. A binder of ingredient and nutrient information (taken from product cases) is kept by the Principal Cook.
Specific areas

Ingredient information can be requested and will be provided for the following self-serve stations: Homestyle, Pizza, Pasta, Salad Bar, Dessert/Fruit, Waffle, Soup, Beverage, Astros Burger Bar, and Condiment.

Additional Information

URI Dining Services takes great effort to specify that food items contain as few of the top 8 major allergens as possible on our yearly food bids. For example, our bread bid specifies that bread items may not contain added soy, milk, nuts, or eggs unless designated.

2. We provide access to ingredient information for self-serve* items. *Self-serve - Meals that are served buffet-style in a dining hall. These are typically high risk for cross-contact and are best avoided by diners with food allergies.

Made-To-Order Areas
Made-to-order areas
[Yes, in all stations]
Additional information

All Food Service and Dining Hall Staff participate in yearly Food Allergy and Intolerance training. Students should inform the staff at every station in the dining halls of their food allergy or intolerance. Food service staff are trained to take cross-contact precautions, such as washing hands, putting on clean food-handler gloves, and use fresh product from containers that have not been used for the general population. Students may request that a special meal from the main kitchen be made for them separately.

3. We have procedures in place to lower the risk of cross-contact in made-to-order areas.

Self-Serve Areas
Self-Serve Areas
[Yes, in all areas]
Additional Information

Our self-serve areas are limited to the Homestyle, burger, pizza, soup, salad bar, fruit/yogurt, dessert. Any food containing one or more of the top 8 allergens are located separately and/or at the end of the station. For example, croutons are the last item on the salad bar to avoid possible cross-contact with other food selections as a guest moves down the line of salad bar options.
Peanut butter and Nutella are located in a separate location with signage indicating precautions to take to avoid cross-contact. Baked goods/desserts are nut/tree nut free. Any menu item that may contain tree nuts or sesame seeds is labeled at the point of service. Separate utensils are available for each food item.

4. We have procedures in place to lower the risk of cross-contact in self-serve areas.

Pre-Order Meals
Do students have access to pre-order meals free from their allergens?
[Yes]
Additional information

Students with allergies are encouraged to meet with the Dining Services Dietitian at the beginning of the academic year or at any time desired. They will be invited to tour the dining halls, be introduced to the managers and principal cooks, and make their food preferences known. Students and dining hall staff get to know one another and in this manner, a student can feel comfortable requesting special order meals. On any day or meal, students may also email, text or phone a dining hall manager to request a special meal be prepared for them at a certain time.

5. We have pre-order meals* available. *Pre-order meals - Custom meals that can be ordered in advance by a diner so they are ready for pick up at a specific time. Typically these can be ordered online or by phone/text.

Allergy-Friendly Station
Do students have access to an allergy-friendly station(s) that is free from specific allergens?
[Yes]
What is the station free from?
Peanut
Tree nut
Fish
Shellfish
Eggs
Wheat
Soy
Milk
Gluten
Additional Information

Students have access to a "Gluten-Free Pantry" area in both residential dining halls. The pantry area has evolved into not only a place where students can access gluten-free products, but also find food offerings that do not contain any of the top 8 allergens. Each pantry area has a dedicated toaster, refrigerator/freezer, and microwave available for student use.

6. We have an allergy-friendly station*. *Allergy-friendly station - A food station where specific ingredients are banned, typically including many or all items in the Top 8 allergens and gluten.

Dining Services Staff Member Trained?
Dining services staff trained?
[Yes, all staff]
How often?
At least once a year
Which course(s) are used?
We developed our own food allergy training.
The food allergy training program in use was developed by URI's dietitian who has completed both AllerTrain and ServSafe Allergen training.
What topics are covered?

Food allergy101
Anaphylaxis
Celiac Disease
Food Intolerance versus Sensitivity
URI's Allergen/Gluten-free Policy
Cross-contact and precautions
Responsibilities of the student, university, employee/dining staff, principal cooks, and managers
Mobil app
Self-serve area precautions
Emergency procedures-what to do in the event of a reaction
Epi Pen education

Additional information

Yearly food allergy training of student employees is also conducted.

7. We train dining services staff members.

Registered Dietitian on Staff?
Do you have a registered dietitian on staff?
[Yes]

8. We have a registered dietitian* on staff. *Registered dietitian - Registered dietitians are food and nutrition experts who are often tasked with helping students with food allergies navigate the dining halls.

Campus Life & Disabilities
RAs Trained
RA’s trained
[No]

9. We train our RA's.

Inclusive Resident Life Programs Including Food
Inclusive resident life programs involving food?
[Yes]
How can students access safe foods for resident life programs?

Our programs are part of a residential curriculum and rarely focus on food, so students should be able to attend any program they wish.

Additional information

We do not ask food allergy questions on our housing application, so we would need students to self-disclose their allergies to Housing for us to be able to match them with other students with food allergies. However, we work closely with Disability Services for Students, who will contact us if an accommodation needs to be met. We accept room change requests for many reasons; someone with a life-safety reason would be made a priority.

10. We have inclusive resident life programs* including food. *Inclusive resident life programs - Programs in the resident halls often include food. Inclusive resident life programs will offer students with food allergies the opportunity to request safe food alternatives for events they attend in the dorms.

Accommodations for Roommate Assignments
ROLLUP - Accommodations for roommate assignments
 
How does the school provide accommodations?
Trying to match students with food allergies for room assignments upon request
Facilitating roommate agreements involving food allergies upon request
Working with students to change roommate assignments if it becomes necessary
Does the housing office process requests?
No, another office on campus processes these requests (please specify)
Disability Services for Students handles these requests. However, if a student submits a room change request, we will do our best to honor it; prioritizing life-safety above other requests.
Where can students get more information?
Lisa Macaruso, Disability Student Services Coordinator
401-874-2098
Additional information

Disability Services for Students works with students and all units of URI to create inclusive and sustainable learning and working environments. We facilitate access, discourse, and involvement through innovative services, programs, leadership, and collaboration.

11. We offer accommodations for roommate assignments. *Every accommodation request is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. A housing accommodation cannot be guaranteed prior to an individual evaluation.

Disability Services Office Processes Food Allergy and Celiac Disease Accommodation Requests
Disability services office processes food allergy and celiac disease accommodation requests
[Yes]
Other departments a student should contact?

We recommend consulting with Dining Services, Housing and Residential Life, and Health Services. Additionally, we strongly encourage students to register for the URI Public Safety Needs List. The information that you provide may help responders meet your needs during an emergency.

How can students submit an accommodations request?

Please visit the DSS Website, complete an Online Intake Form, and submit.

Additional Information

Disability Services for Students works with students and all units of URI to create inclusive and sustainable learning and working environments. We facilitate access, discourse, and involvement through innovative services, programs, leadership, and collaboration.

12. Our disability office processes food allergy and celiac disease accommodation requests.

Health Services
What health services are offered?
Prescriptions for epinephrine
Fulfill epinephrine prescriptions in our pharmacy
Seasonal allergy shots

See what health services we offer >

Emergency Response
Stock, Undesignated Epinephrine Available for Emergency Response
Stock, undesignated epinephrine for emergencies
[Yes]
Where?
Healthcare facilities

13. We have stock, undesignated epinephrine* available for emergency response. *Stock, undesignated epinephrine - Epinephrine that is prescribed to a college or university rather than to a particular student. This epinephrine is kept on hand to use for any student that experiences anaphylaxis.

Campus Emergency Responders Carry Epinephrine
Campus emergency responders carry epinephrine
[Yes]
Who are the emergency responders?
On-campus emergency responders

14. Our campus emergency responders carry epinephrine.

Emergency Response Policy
What does the policy allow for?
Staff is trained to recognize anaphylaxis and call emergency responders
On-campus emergency responders carry epinephrine for use in an emergency

See what our emergency response policy allows for >

Contact Info
Dining Services Staff Contact
Karen Orabona
401-874-4856
Disability Staff Contact
Disability Services for Students
401-874-2098
Last updated on:
August 8, 2018
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