Aramark works to accommodate student allergies

Aramark works to provide students with allergies with safe, allergen-free options for their daily needs.

Previous workers at Aramark dining stations at USD have said the staff is extremely careful when preparing food, as they are aware of student allergies being a concern on campus.

Megan Bartels, a senior international studies major, and a former employee of Einstein’s Bagel Brothers, said the restaurant has a special station for preparing allergen-free orders.

“I used to work at Einstein’s, and when you’re preparing stuff that people could be allergic to, like nut products or fish, they have a separate station where you have to take off your gloves and switch them with new ones, prepare that, wash it, sanitize it… so there’s no risk of cross-contamination and someone having a reaction,” Bartels said.

Bartels also said they can serve foods that may cause concern separate from the rest.

“But also, if you order a bagel with Nutella or peanut butter, we have to cup it separately, so if someone orders it, you give them the cup rather than smearing it on their bagel, so they have to do it themselves in a separate area that isn’t Einstein’s.”

In an email interview with The Volante, Hana Russell, senior secretary of student services at the Coyote Card office, said students may be exempt from the USD meal plan if they feel like Aramark dining options are not compatible with their dietary restrictions.

“Students who withdraw from USD, or those with an approved housing exemption or contract release, are automatically qualified for a meal plan exemption or reduction,” Russell said.

Russell also said students who wish to have an exemption must have documentation for their medical excuse.

“Meal plan appeals granted for medical need require documentation, such as a doctor’s note from their primary care physician or from the Vermillion Sanford Clinic,” she said. “Students applying for a medical appeal are encouraged to speak with Adam Chicoine at Aramark Dining Services before filling out the form to see how dining can help them utilize their meal plan.”

Morgan Kistler, a junior communication studies major, said she has taken extra precautions around campus due to her severe food allergies and anaphylactic reactions.

“I’ve ended up having an allergic reaction once because someone peeled an orange in the booth next to me,” Kiestler said. “I’m always very aware of my surroundings while I’m in the dining hall. If I see someone with an orange, I usually get up and move somewhere that is safe for me or I ask them to wait a few minutes to peel it so I can leave.”

Melyssa Nikole Manecke, a junior nursing student, is lactose-intolerant and said she has suffered severe reactions while on campus.

“I did have issues with UBrew; I’d tell them to put soy in my coffee, and one time they didn’t even though they wrote it down as soy, so I couldn’t drink it,” she said. “It happened another time too, I believe, and I didn’t notice because I didn’t watch them make it like I normally do, but I could tell because about 30 to 45 minutes after drinking my coffee I got extremely sick in the library.”