Michigan State University Culinary Services was named the Best Overall Allergen-Free Campus Dining Program at MenuTrinfo’s 10th annual national allergy awards. The award recognizes organizations leading the way in food allergy safety, transparency and accessibility across the industry.

In an Eat at State social media post on April 13, registered CS Dietitian Kelsey Patterson said, “This recognition reflects the effort of our team to support individuals with dietary restrictions through our programs and services.”

MSU Dining offers allergy accommodations that include allergen-conscious areas with gluten-free products, and nut-conscious dining halls at Holden, Holmes and MSU Bakers.

Thrive at Owen is an all-you-care-to-eat dining hall where all items served are free of the 9 major allergens and gluten.

First-year neuroscience and human biology major Isabella Gunjab, whose allergies limit her to eating rice, chicken and beef, is appreciative of MSU Culinary Services for going out of its way to make accommodations.

“I tend to bring my own food, but when I do eat at Owen I usually feel pretty safe,” said Gunjab.

Gunjab said she met with Patterson in Akers Hall to create a dining plan through the Eat at State mobile app that was released in June 2022.

“They're really safe with it. They wear gloves and everything, so that was an option I used a lot in the first semester until I got off the plan to move to Owen,” said Gunjab.

Supply chain management sophomore Matthew Trask, who is allergic to peanuts, tree nuts and shellfish, said he finds the allergen labels in dining halls to be very helpful for identifying foods with nuts that he wouldn’t have expected. 

“I go to really any dining hall. I guess Owen’s where I can kind of shut my brain off and not really worry as much because, obviously, my allergies aren’t a factor here,” Trask said.