Peanut and/or tree nut allergies
Our campus dining halls do not use any peanut or tree nut ingredients in any recipes or offerings.
However, make sure to read the labels on any pre-packaged products, as some may have been prepared in a facility where they may have come in contact with nuts.
Food labels
Look for these labels at various stations in your dining hall. They represent the most commonly requested dietary needs:
Halal
Identifies single ingredients or recipes that only contain:
Halal certified proteins
Halal permitted foods
Excludes all Haram products
Third-party certification is available
This includes:
A variety of both plant- and animal-based proteins
Halal chicken options
Halal burgers
Rennet-free cheese
Vegan and vegetarian options
Don't hesitate to ask if an item contains haram products or to see the recipe or a label for a menu option.
Please note: even foods commonly prepared without haram-containing ingredients may not be 100% halal. Our recipes are prepared in open kitchens and some items are served "buffet-style", where cross-contact is possible and where ingredient substitutions are sometimes made.
Vegetarian
Identifies menu items that fit a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet.
Excludes: all meat, fish, and poultry
Includes: eggs, milk, dairy, honey
Vegetarian options include:
Vegan and vegetarian options available at breakfast including smoothies, beans, tofu scrambles, and more!
A variety of changing made-to-order stations including pasta, destination station, deli, and salad bar, which will have vegan and vegetarian options available
Daily vegetarian feature pizza
Daily vegetarian/vegan soup
Vegan
Identifies foods made from plant-based food items only.
All vegan dishes are made without eggs, honey, milk, and dairy, or any other animal-derived ingredients.
Vegan options include:
Hot vegan offerings served daily on an ever-changing menu
Daily vegetarian/vegan soup
Vegan and vegetarian options available at breakfast including smoothies, beans, tofu scrambles, and more!
A variety of changing made-to-order stations including pasta, destination station, deli, and salad bar, which will have vegan and vegetarian options available
Dairy beverage alternatives
No Gluten
Identifies menu items that are made without gluten ingredients.*
*Please note: cross-contamination with wheat and other allergens may occur during preparation.
A few key no-gluten items:
- Pastas (Available between 11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.–9:00 p.m.): GF pasta option and pasta sauce are always available. Just ask and a staff member will make your dish to order!
- Soups: Most of our soups do not contain gluten, however make sure to check the signage for the NG icon just to be sure!
- Afternoon Grill (Open from 2:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m.): Serving no gluten pasta, burgers, and grilled cheese. Plus, ask for eggs made to order! Order no gluten dishes at the True Balance station.
- Pizza (Available from 11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.–9:00 p.m., made to order): We have GF pizza crust! Just ask one of our staff to make you a fresh GF pizza —made to order!
- Dietary fridge with gluten-free bread products: Monitored throughout the day and restocked, but if it’s running low, please ask a staff member.
- Gluten-free snacks and desserts: Allergy-friendly snacks and desserts such as granola bars and cookies are also available on request at the checker stations in the dining halls.
- Deli bar: Just ask for a sandwich on GF bread or wrap (found in fridge), wrapped in parchment paper and grilled on our panini press.
- Salad bar: Make your own salad! There are many no gluten ingredients to choose from. Tip: Ask the staff member near the deli and salad bars for fresh ingredients from behind the counter. This reduces the risk of cross-contamination!
- Gluten-free toaster: Each dining hall has a toaster dedicated to no-gluten foods. Note: Use of this toaster is not monitored., so we cannot guarantee that this toaster has not been contaminated by gluten containing foods. If cross-contamination is a concern, access to toaster bags can be arranged by the dietitian to help prevent cross-contamination in the shared toaster.
No Dairy
Identifies items made without milk ingredients to assist those avoiding dairy in their diet.*
*Please note: cross-contamination with dairy and other allergens may occur during preparation.
Milk alternatives are available in the small refrigerator with the gluten-free breads.
True Balance
Howe Dining Hall offers a stand-alone True Balance station to better serve students with food allergies.
Food prepared at this station is safe for 9 of the 11 most common allergens, including: dairy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, soy, mustard, sesame, and gluten.
True Balance is a concept found across many Aramark-managed dining locations at colleges and universities, featuring recipes developed without the most common food allergies plus all sources of gluten and prepared using allergen-focused safety protocols.
This area includes separate prep areas and cooking appliances to further reduce risks of cross contamination and ensure the safety of those with severe allergies.
Due to the risk of cross-contamination, self-service is not permitted; however, you are welcome to request as much food as you want from staff at the station.
