Campus Dining Services opened a new venue this fall, Gluten Friendly Flavors, at Watterson Dining Commons to help better accommodate the needs of students with gluten sensitivities and other food allergies.
The venue features an entree, side, and vegetable for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and for dinner from 4:30 to 8 p.m. daily. In addition to the menu of rotating entrees, sides, and vegetables, gluten-free items such as pizza, macaroni and cheese, lasagna, and burritos are available daily upon request. Pasta and sauces are also offered daily.
While Campus Dining has many options for students with gluten sensitivities at other venues, extra precautions are taken during food preparation and serving at Gluten Friendly Favors. This station is also free of fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, and wheat.
Student feedback has been positive so far and Campus Dining has received comments such as a tweet stating, “@DiningILState decision to put a gluten free area in Watterson, is just another reason ISU feels like home and feels like I belong. #happy” and an email stating, “I saw things like quinoa and feta/spinach stuffed peppers were on the menu—and I like the selection!”
In addition to Gluten Friendly Favors, a self-serve cooler was installed at Watterson Dining Commons last semester and another at Marketplace at Linkins Dining Center this semester, which contain gluten-free items such as muffins, bread, buns, cream cheese, and peanut butter, allowing students to access these items themselves rather than asking for assistance from staff as they did in the past.
Visit the Dining website to view the Gluten Friendly Flavors daily menu or to contact the registered dietitian to discuss any special dietary needs.
