Dietary & Allergen Information | Dietary & Allergen Information

Dietary Restrictions, Allergens, and Accommodations

Dickinson Dining Services is committed to providing safe and inclusive dining experiences and will make arrangements for guests and members of the campus community with special dietary needs. We encourage all diners with food allergies, intolerances, sensitivities, or other special dietary needs to contact Culinary Services for assistance identifying specific recipe ingredients.

Students with dining barriers such as food allergies and other disability-based access barriers should refer to the Access and Disability Services (ADS) Dietary Accommodations page, which outlines the process for disclosing a dietary-related disability, providing supporting documentation, and requesting special accommodations to be provided by Culinary Services. Members of the Dietary Accommodation Committee (including staff from ADS, the Wellness Center, and Culinary Services) will review documentation and determine reasonable and appropriate accommodations to ensure access to dining at Dickinson.

Dickinson Dining Services staff are trained to identify the “Top 9 Food Allergens” as identified by the FDA: wheat, soy, milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, and sesame. We do our best to provide you with information about the content of foods containing these ingredients.

Because online information cannot always be updated in real time, no allergen or nutritional information we provide online should ever be considered a guarantee. Given the number of meals served, the number of items used each day, along with food product changes from manufacturers and potential cross-contact during food preparation or in self-service areas, the College cannot guarantee that every allergen in the food served will be properly identified and labeled. Diners concerned with food allergies must be aware of this risk. Dickinson Dining Services does not assume any liability for adverse reactions to food consumed or items one may come in contact with while eating at any Dickinson College dining facility or catered event.

Here at Dickinson College, we offer a number of allergen-free (including gluten-free) foods and provide a separate area of self-service with packaged and homemade, wrapped gluten-free foods. But if you have a food allergy, Celiac Disease, or contend with other severe reactions to food allergens, it is very important that you communicate with our supervisors and chefs before consuming food at our venues. Be sure to let our food servers know you have a food allergy or Celiac, so they know to use separate cooking tools and dedicated cookware for your order. The only true allergen-free foods we offer are those we plate up individually in our kitchen's dedicated allergen-free preparation area, which is why it’s important to request Dietary Accommodations to properly address your needs.

Examples of ways that Dining Services accommodate our diners may include the availability of pre-plated gluten-free meals, other plated meals for severe allergies, identification of the Top 9 Allergens and other Traits, a Top 9 Allergen-Free salad bar, kosher meals at lunch and dinner, Sunday through Friday lunch, regular service of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free items at a gluten-free station, and personalized menu planning prepared by our chef. Students may also wish to connect with Dickinson's registered dietitian at the Wellness Center for help with strategies to address nutritional concerns or other dietary health and wellness questions.

Severe Food Allergies? Please speak with us and learn how to navigate our facilities safely and to learn more about possible dietary accommodations on campus. Many suppliers state foods may have been processed with cross-contact issues, and we want you to have a safe and enjoyable dining experience.

No allergen or nutritional information we provide online should ever be considered a guarantee. Because of the number of meals served, the number of items used each day, along with food product changes from manufacturers and potential cross-contact during food preparation or in self-service areas, the College cannot guarantee that every allergen in the food served will be properly identified and labeled. Diners concerned with food allergies must be aware of this risk. Dickinson College Culinary Services does not assume any liability for adverse reactions to food consumed or items one may come in contact with while eating at any Dickinson College dining facility or catered event.

Allergen & Traits Guide

Allergen and Trait Icon Poster

Allergens and traits are posted in our facilities so guests can more easily identify areas of concern. In the Dining Hall and in Union Station, items are marked with these icons for general awareness. If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Culinary Services Office at 717-245-1318. We'll be happy to talk with you!

Check out: Food Allergies when Preparing for College