UMass, Amherst

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
[Yes]
Top 8 allergens, a list is posted in the dining hall
[Yes]
Full ingredients, a list is posted in the dining hall
[Yes]
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
We identify to the top eight allergens as well as corn and sesame
Specific areas

All of them

Additional Information

At UMass, all our food items are labeled with menu identifiers. These menu identifiers include the following information: name of the food item, ingredients, nutrition fact information per serving, allergens (the Top 8 plus corn and sesame), and dietary preferences. We want to be transparent with our labeling because we believe in providing healthy, nutritious, and safe meals to students. All information is also available in our UMass Dining app and website. 

 

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
[Yes]
Top 8 allergens, a list is posted in the dining hall
[Yes]
Full ingredients, a list is posted in the dining hall
[Yes]
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
All ingredients are listed on menu identifiers. UMass supervisors/managers must adjust the font size and reprint the label if more space needed to fit all ingredients.
Specific areas

Menu identifiers are listed for all ingredients separately. Ingredients and allergens are available on each item.

Additional Information

We always encourage students to ask for the management staff if they have any questions or concerns. All ingredient information is also available on the UMass Dining app and website.

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

Staff has been trained to follow standardized recipes, not add any ingredients into the recipe and use clean and sanitized working area with new pans and utensils. If students would like a menu item from the serving line but it is next to an items with allergens the student should avoid, the student can request the desired menu item from the kitchen as it is less likely to have cross contact. The student can ask for a manager or supervisor to get a food item from the kitchen safe from cross contact.

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

If students would like a menu item from the serving line but it is next to an items with allergens the student should avoid, the student can request the desired menu item from the kitchen as it will be free from cross contact.

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

Diners with severe food allergies can meet with one of our registered dietitians to create a profile on our UMass SAFE app which allows students with food allergies to have safe food options. In the app students must order their meal the day before and can indicate time and location of meal pick up. The app provides contact information for the student to be in direct contact with dining staff in case of any changes (order change, rescheduling, cancellations, etc). Communication between the student and staff is key so the student gets fresh, safe food.

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
Wheat
Gluten
No meat
Additional Information

Located in Worcester Dining Hall, we have a gluten-free, nut-free and vegetarian station called Seasons. At this station it is required for all diners to have a new clean plate reducing the risk of cross contact. In addition we have two gluten-free designated stations at Franklin and Hampshire Dining Hall. We also have a Vegan station at Franklin Dining Hall. 

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?
AllerTrain courses by MenuTrinfo
ServSafe Allergen by National Restaurant Association
We developed our own food allergy training.
We review UMass policy procedures after AllerTrain which is conducted yearly for all staff.
What topics are covered?

Food Allergy 101 (allergens, symptoms, recognizing reactions/anaphylaxis), preventing cross contact in the kitchen, on the serving line and in the dining rooms.

Additional information

Management staff checks the recipes with station champions to ensure the recipe was followed and no substitutions were made. If substitutions were made, staff reviews ingredients and alters menu identifier so it is important to check the menu identifiers at the station getting food as it may be slightly different if alterations are made. Menu identifiers are printed within 24 hours of being served and adjusted just before the meal if alterations made.

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?

Student should indicate any allergies or special dietary needs prior to the beginning of the program to resident assistants/director.

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?
Facilitating roommate agreements involving food allergies upon request
Working with students to change roommate assignments if it becomes necessary
Students could request a roommate of their choosing, and could request someone with similar food restrictions or a respect for their needs. Our office would not collect data or otherwise take initiative to match roommates based on food allergies.
Does the housing office process requests?
Yes
Disability Services and University Health Services would provide accommodation request to Residential Life Office
Where can students get more information?
Residential Life Office
413.545.2100

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?

Disability Services is the only department a student with a disability would provide documentation of a disability to. Disability Service’s role is to inform, at the request of the student, any office, department or instructor, if accommodations are needed. Disability Services does not disclose the student’s disability, only their eligibility for accommodation.

How can students submit an accommodations request?

Students in need of accommodations should register with Disability Services by providing an intake form and their diagnostic documentation. The intake form is online at https://www.umass.edu/disability/students/student-intake-form which provides "food allergies" as a disability a student can check off. Documentation can be emailed to notify@admin.umass.edu, mailed to the address (Disability Services, 161 Whitmore Administration Building, 181 Presidents Drive, Amherst, MA 01003-9313) or faxed to 413-577-0122. Additional information regarding documentation can be accessed at https://www.umass.edu/disability/resources/documentation-eligibility. Once a student has submitted their materials, they will receive an email (at their UMass email address) stating their status. Assuming they are eligible, they will be encouraged to contact their Consumer Manager (CM) listed in the email to schedule an appointment. At that meeting, accommodation eligibility will be discussed and accommodation notifications will be sent out to the appropriate parties.

Additional Information

Disability Services encourages students to communicate with us early - soon after getting admitted to the University, or following a new diagnosis. Many new students schedule initial appointments around their summer orientation session or at the start of the academic year. We also invite students to contact Disability Services to receive advice and guidance around accommodations and campus access, at any time. In Higher Education, unlike K-12, it is the student’s responsibility to seek assistance and to self-advocate. Disability Services has no way of knowing if a student has a disability until the student contacts them to register for services. We advise all students with disabilities to register with us, regardless of current accommodation need. It is easier for a student to receive timely assistance if they are already registered, than to start from scratch, when a problem occurs.

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
No testing is performed at UHS Allergy Services. Just the injections of venoms, environmental, seasonal pollens, etc. Providers may be able to order bloodwork for allergy testing. Usually people get referred to an allergist.

See what health services we offer >

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

A few epinephrine is available on hand in case of an emergency in the acute care area, as well as the Allergy Services room and in the clinic areas of University Health Services.

Additional information

Students must carry the prescription on them at all times while on campus. UMass Dining Staff does not administer epinepherine to students but they can assist student in finding the medication in their bag only.

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
City emergency responders
UMass Police Dept. is the on-campus emergency responders. EMTs carry EpiPens and administer but only work at campus events.
Additional information

Amherst Paramedics stocks and administers epinephrine.
On campus responders (UMass Police) stock and administer epinephrine.
EMTs on campus do stock and administer epinephrine but only at campus events they are hired for.

14. Our campus emergency responders carry epinephrine.

Emergency Response Policy
What does the policy allow for?
Designated, trained staff to help administer a student’s epinephrine or stock, undesignated epinephrine in an emergency
Staff is trained to recognize anaphylaxis and call emergency responders
University Health Service staff administers the EpiPen as well as call 911 or Amherst Fire Dept/Paramedics
Additional Information

The EMTs are allowed to administer EpiPens however they are only hired for events on campus.
UMass Police Department stock and administer epinephrine.

See what our emergency response policy allows for >

Contact Info
Dining Services Staff Contact
Dianne Sutherland and Sabrina Hafner
413.545.2472
Disability Staff Contact
Disability Services
413.545.0892
Last updated on:
April 11, 2022
College profiles containing a purple checkmark under the university name are verified college users. All other profiles have been generated through publicly available information from college websites. Accommodations may be available that are not listed here.