Welcome to Syracuse University!
Syracuse University offers a wide variety of well-balanced choices in our dining centers, food courts, and cafes.
Students on a meal plan can look forward to a rotating selection of foods that will satisfy any palette. We look forward to fortifying you so you are able to reach your academic and personal goals while you are a part of the Syracuse University community.
At any point during your time on campus, if you have a question about food allergies or a dietary accommodation and would like to meet with someone one-on-one to discuss your concerns, email us at mealtalk@syr.edu. We will contact you to set up an individualized meal plan and can walk you through a dining center to get a sense of what you can be comfortable with eating.
How to Set Up a Meeting
If you would like to schedule a meeting with your dining center manager to guide you through the dining center, so you feel comfortable getting the foods you need, contact us at mealtalk@syr.edu In the email subject line write "dining center meeting" and the name of the dining center where you eat most frequently. You may also reach out to the dining center manager to schedule on your own. Dining center contacts.
The Barnes Center at the Arch employs a Registered Dietitian who conducts confidential nutrition counseling related to clinical nutrition issues and eating disorders. Nutrition counseling is available to Syracuse University students who have paid their Health Service fee. If you would like to make an appointment for a confidential counseling session, please call Health Services at 315.443.8000.
Employee Training and Cross-contact
Employees are trained on food safety, food allergies, celiac disease and other dietary issues when they are hired and semi-annually throughout their employment with Syracuse University Food Services.
Staff takes every precaution to prevent cross-contact during service, including using separate serving utensils for each food item and keeping service areas clean. However, cross-contact is still a possibility in shared preparation spaces and self-service dining areas.
To minimize exposure to allergens, guests are encouraged to:
- Contact mealtalk@syr.edu to learn more about dining accommodations.
- Notify a manager of allergies and intolerances.
- If you are unsure about cross contact, ask staff to change gloves and utensils before preparing their order.
- Request a portion of food from a backup pan (including salad bar, deli station, ice cream, and cereal containers)
- Call ahead to have an order specially prepared with attention to specific food allergens.
- Carry a prescribed epinephrine auto-injector at all times.
Meal Plan Policy
Most Syracuse University students residing on campus are required to have a meal plan, including those with special nutritional needs. The Syracuse University registered dietitian can work one-on-one with students with special or medically prescribed diets. The following list represents some of the special diets and medical conditions for which meal plan accommodations can be arranged:
- Anemia
- Celiac Disease/Gluten
- Colitis
- Crohn’s Disease
- Diabetes
- Duodenal Ulcer
- Elevated cholesterol
- Elevated triglycerides
- Food allergies
- Food intolerances
- Hypertension
- Hypoglycemia
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Kidney disease
- Sensitivity
- Vegan/Vegetarian Diets
- Weight reduction*
*Please note: Enrollment in a commercial weight loss program or diets considered preferred avoidance are not valid reasons for a meal plan exemption. Dietitians are available to assist those students requiring weight management.
To help us access your nutritional needs, please fill out the Dietary Accommodations Request Form.
Medical documentation from your medical doctor needs to be provided to the Registered Dietitian in Food Services for special accommodation requests.
Syracuse University Food Services is committed to delivering quality food and service to our students. Food Services continually strives to meet the needs of all students, including those with special nutritional requirements.
Online Menu
The Food Services online menu is available for guests to search for allergens and ingredient and nutritional information. The top nine allergens: milk, fish, soy, eggs, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, and sesame are indicated on the menu. Halal, vegan, and vegetarian items are also indicated.
Food Services recognized that students and guest may be allergic to foods outside of these common allergens. Customer with allergies or intolerances to any food are encouraged to contact mealtalk@syr.edu for additional support and resources.
Although our chefs and staff adhere to standardized recipes, last minute changes to ingredients may occur. If you have a question about an item, we encourage you to seek assistance from a staff member for specific ingredient information.
If you need information on a food that is not labeled with food allergens, please ask the staff for information.
Disclaimer
Syracuse University Food Services treats food allergies and celiac disease seriously. Food Services employees work one-on-one with students with food allergies and celiac disease to avoid cross-contact and allergic reactions.
Please be advised that our menu items may contain gluten and the Big 9 allergens (Milk, Eggs, Fish, Shellfish, Wheat, Sesame, Soy, Peanuts, and Tree nuts) or have come in contact with items containing gluten or the Big 9 allergens. In addition, food manufacturers may change their formulation or manner of processing without our knowledge.
Syracuse University Food Services will assume no liability for any adverse reactions that may occur in the dining facilities.