Dietary Needs & Allergens
Dining is committed to the well-being and safety of students when it comes to allergens. That is why we are dedicated to working with students, staff, and guests who have food allergies by providing safe options for them at each dining center.
With several platforms that offer customers the chance to build their own dishes, our Dining Centers can provide a variety of vegetarian, vegan, gluten-friendly, or allergen-friendly options. If you have questions regarding ingredients in a specific menu item while in the dining centers, please talk to the chef or manager on duty. If you are having an allergic reaction, seek medical help immediately.
Labeling
Dining Services labels the top 9 Common Allergens. At each dining center you will find that every food served will have a menu card with the top allergens and icons to assist customers in finding safe foods. The icons are below.
To limit icons on menu cards, we cross-use some icrons. If you need specifics on an item (like if it has shellfish vs. fish), feel free to check NetNutrition or ask a chef or manager on duty.
Specialty Stations
Allergen-Friendly Options
Dining Services labels all of the top nine most common allergens. This messaging is on signage in all the Dining Centers, or on our online menu and NetNutrition. Our Natural station at each dining center is a designated allergen-friendly, gluten-friendly zone where all dishes are made without using the top nine allergens and prepared separately to minimize the risk of cross contact.
Gluten-Friendly and Gluten-Free Options
We are always happy to provide customers with gluten allergies, gluten intolerance, or celiac disease with options. The Natural Station at each dining center offers a variety of gluten-free meal options that are prepared separately from other dishes, minimizing the risk for cross contact with trace amounts of gluten. Each dining center also keeps individually wrapped gluten-free breads, bagels, muffins, and desserts, on hand that can be distributed to customers as needed. Our staff can also prepare burgers, sandwiches, and pizzas using gluten-free products on request.
Other Dietary Needs
Halal Options
We continue to strive to increase our number of halal proteins. Southside currently sources halal-certified chicken for our Natural station. We label items that do not contain alcohol (from ingredients like vanilla extract, vinegar, and/or miso paste), pork, or a non-halal protein with a halal icon to make it easier for our customers to find halal options.
Vegan and Vegetarian
We are proud to offer a variety of plant-based options to meet the needs of flexitarians, vegetarian, vegans, or anyone else who just wants to eat a little less meat! Plant-based cuisine is much more than vegetables from the salad bar. With a little creativity and some help from tofu, beans and legumes, non-dairy milks, seeds, nuts, and products from Gardein and Daiya, we are proud to offer everything from healthy tofu scrambles to indulgent deep-fried cauliflower wings and vegan chocolate brownies. All of our bakery's cobblers and fruit crisps are vegan-friendly, and we also serve vegan cookies, cakes, and bars. In 2018, we were recognized with an “A” rating on peta2’s vegan report card for “going above and beyond to provide all students with exceptional vegan food.”
Vegetarian
Does not contain meat, fish, poultry, or gelatin. Dairy and eggs are allowed.
Vegan
Vegetarian items that also do not contain dairy, eggs, or honey.
Halal
Does not contain pork, alcohol, or meat that is not halal certified. Fish and vegetarian proteins are permitted.
Dietary Accommodations
Some food allergies may require further assistance with eating on campus. You can take the following steps to request dietary accommodations:
- Contact our Dining Services Registered Dietitian, Martha Flores, at 509-335-4785 or martha.flores@wsu.edu
- Contact the Access Center and schedule an appointment to discuss housing and dining needs.
Our team have worked with students to successfully meet many dietary needs, from PKU to a range of allergies.