Framingham State University
VerifiedAll short-order stations in the Dining Commons have menu items listed with the Top 8 Allergens. Additional ingredient information is available upon request.
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.
All self-serve areas in the Dining Commons have menu items listed with the Top 8 Allergens. Additional ingredient information is available upon request.
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.
The State Street Deli has specific cross-contact procedures in place.
Students should inform the staff at every station in the Dining Commons of their food allergy. At made-to-order locations, students may request their food be made using items from back-up containers and separate utensils. Procedures are in place to ensure food is made on a clean surface.
3. We have procedures in place to lower the risk of cross-contact in made-to-order areas.
The salad bar is set up with high-risk/allergen containing foods grouped together. The MyZone pantry is designed to only contain gluten, peanut and treenut free products.
Our staff is trained to prevent cross-contact at all stations in the Dining Commons. We do advise students with food allergies to request products be taken from back-up to ensure their dining needs are being met. In addition, all self-service items are labeled with the Top 9 Allergens it may contain.
4. We have procedures in place to lower the risk of cross-contact in self-serve areas.
While most guests are able to navigate the Dining Commons using the tools and resources provided, we realize that some guests require additional attention. In these instances, we take a personalized approach to working with our guests to ensure that all of their dietary needs are effectively met. Accommodations (pre-ordered meals) will be provided for students who have seen a health care provider and have been formally diagnosed with a condition requiring dietary accommodations. Students should refer to the Dietary/Meal Plan Modification Policy on the Framingham State University Disability/Access Services website (https://www.framingham.edu/academics/center-for-academic-success-and-ac…).
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.
We have two allergen-friendly stations in our Dining Commons, Simple Servings and Simple Zone. Simple Servings provides safe and appetizing food choices for our customers with food allergies or gluten intolerance. Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, Simple Servings provides meals naturally free of milk, eggs, wheat, soy, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, sesame, and gluten. Separate utensils, cooking equipment, and preparation areas minimize but do not totally eliminate the changes of gluten and allergens in our Simple Servings foods. The Simple Zone pantry contains gluten-free, peanut-free and treenut free products. In addition, Simple Zone has a designated toaster oven and microwave for products that do not contain gluten, peanuts and treenuts. Simple Zone areas give customers the ability to be involved in their own allergen-safe meal preparation.
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.
Topics Covered Include: Food Allergies, Celiac Disesae, Food Sensitivities and Intolerance, Avoiding Cross-Contact, Emergency Procedures, Signs and Symptoms of Allergic Reaction, Food Storage/Handling, Cleaning and Sanitizing
7. We train dining services staff members.
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.
9. We train our RA's.
Students can speak with the Catering Department in Dining Services to discuss menu options.
Resident Assistants receive general training on medical emergencies.
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.
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.
The accommodation process begins in the office of Disability/Access Services.
Students should set up a meeting with the Campus Dietitian to discuss their needs in detail and to tour the Dining Commons. After all information has been reviewed by Dining Services, a confirmation e-mail will be sent to the student highlighting the discussion and what accommodations will be provided to the student. If however, students do not feel their dietary needs are able to be met, they may request a modification to the dining contract. Accommodations may be provided for students who have seen a health care provider and have been formally diagnosed with a condition requiring dietary accommodations. Students should refer to the Dietary/Meal Plan Modification Policy on the Framingham State University Disability/Access Services website (https://www.framingham.edu/academics/center-for-academic-success-and-ac…).
12. Our disability office processes food allergy and celiac disease accommodation requests.
See what health services we offer >
If the student is prescribed an epinephrine injector, they are solely responsible for its use. Dining Services does not have epinephrine injectors available at any of its dining locations. The Dining Services staff cannot administer or provide them. The student should alert friends, roommates, and/or resident assistant of their condition, educate them about the signs and symptoms of anaphylactic shock, and provide them with the steps to take if such an incident occurs.
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 Police do not carry epinephrine. The ambulance that is contacted carries epinephrine.
14. Our campus emergency responders carry epinephrine.
See what our emergency response policy allows for >