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New Student
Survival Guide

A one-stop-shop for gluten-free students coming to Berry; locations, survival tips, testimonials.

Berry College dining hall

Reliable on-campus locations

These are the spots that students with Celiac Disease and gluten allergies trust the most.

Student Pick

True Balance

The dedicated allergen-friendly station in d-hall. Offers clearly labeled gluten-free options daily, though cross-contamination awareness varies by shift and not much variation in options.

Most recommended by students

Chick-Fil-A: Viking Court

Most trustworthy of the chain restaurants on campus in terms of GF options and cross-contamination vigilance. Always ask staff about preparation methods and shared equipment before eating.

POD Market: Viking Court

The campus convenience store. A lifesaver for packaged gluten-free snacks, grab-and-go meals, and emergency backups when dining hall options are limited.

Survival tips that actually come in handy!

These tips come straight from Berry students who've experienced gluten-free campus dining firsthand without much help, so you don't have to.

1

Always double-check items at D-Hall, even at True Balance

Labels can be wrong, outdated, or vague. Ask the staff directly about ingredients and whether shared utensils were used. Don't risk cross-contamination because you're afraid to ask; they're there to help!

2

Keep a healthy stash of food in your dorm.

If you can, buy a few grocery items from the store to keep in your dorm just in case a certain day's dining options aren't safe for you. Stock up on gluten-free crackers, protein bars, and drinks from POD Market.

3

Use Campus Dish to check menus ahead of time

The app isn't perfect, and isn't always 100% up to date, but checking the daily menu before heading to the dining hall saves time and frustration.

4

Talk to Berry's accommodations office and dining services early

If you're still nervous about finding sufficient GF food options, contact Berry's Office of Accommodations. Advocating for yourself can be tiresome, but the office can provide you with more accessibility options if they know your situation.

5

Find fellow students that are also gluten-free

Connect with other students who have dietary restrictions. There's lots of students at Berry dealing with something similar to you. Join clubs, ask around, join YikYak, etc.

"
"I wish that there were more reliable, consistent gluten-free options at D-Hall."
— Lily Chapman, Junior

What upperclassmen wish
they knew as freshmen

If they could go back and tell their freshman selves one thing about finding gluten-free options on campus, here's what they'd say.

"Insert Quote Here."

A
Anonymous
Undergrad

"Create a consistent meal plan early. Whether that's grocery shopping and cooking meals in the dorm, buying strategically from V-court, or stocking up on protein-heavy snacks."

E
Emily Bishop
Junior

"Insert Quote Here."

A
Anonymous
Undergrad

Practical guides for
everyday campus life

Needing something more in-depth? Check here!

How to contact
dining services

Don't wait until something goes wrong. Reaching out to dining services proactively is one of the most impactful things you can do for your safety on campus.

In Person
D-Hall, Krannert Building

Email Template — Copy & Send

Dear Dining Services Team,

My name is [Your Name] and I'm a [year] student with Celiac Disease. I'm writing to discuss my dietary needs and learn about the accommodations available in campus dining facilities.

Specifically, I'd like to understand how gluten-free options are prepared, what measures are in place to prevent cross-contamination, and whether there's a point person I can connect with regularly about my safety concerns.

I'd appreciate the opportunity to meet in person or discuss this over email. Thank you for your time.

Best,
[Your Name]

Feel free to personalize this and make it your own