University of Rhode Island (URI)
VerifiedThe 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Yearly food allergy training of student employees is also conducted.
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.
Our programs are part of a residential curriculum and rarely focus on food, so students should be able to attend any program they wish.
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.
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.
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.
Please visit the DSS Website, complete an Online Intake Form, and submit.
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.
See what health services we offer >
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.
14. Our campus emergency responders carry epinephrine.
See what our emergency response policy allows for >