Monet's Journey: Empowered by Resources
Monet Fisette, a sophomore from Waldorf, Maryland, has been dealing with severe allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, and buckwheat for years. As a pre-med student passionate about healthcare, Monet chose Notre Dame, her “dream school,” it was “ND or nowhere” , she says. However, when it came to food allergies, she had concerns. She’d lived with her parents' safety-net her whole life and knew college dining halls were a different ballgame.
That’s where the support from campus dining, especially from the allergy team led by Program Director of Nutrition Services, Jocie Antonelli, really made a difference. Monet uses the Kinetica app, a resource available to students to pre-order meals 24 hours in advance. This feature has helped her avoid potential allergens by allowing the kitchen staff to prepare meals without cross-contamination. She can pick up the food, knowing it’s been made with care, and with her specific allergens in mind.
Additionally, Monet’s favorite dining hall hacks are creating chicken alfredo using the chicken parmesan from the grill station, and pasta from the pasta area. She also loves making sushi bowls made with rice from the Asian station and avocado and protein from the sandwich station.
Her advice to fellow students with allergies? “Carry your EpiPen, be open with your friends and roommates, and use the resources available.” Monet even founded a club, Food Allergy Advocacy of Notre Dame, to help remove the stigma around food allergies and connect students with resources.
Sarah's Story: A Freshman’s Peace of Mind
For Sarah Francis, a freshman studying Political Science from Sullivan, Indiana, navigating food allergies is new territory. Diagnosed with a tree nut allergy, she’s found campus dining’s resources to be incredibly helpful as she gets used to the dining hall experience.
Before heading to the dining hall, Sarah checks the menus online at dining.nd.edu and filters for tree nuts to see what’s safe. The team at campus dining has been thorough, ensuring items like bread and snacks are free of tree nuts or cross-contamination.
Sarah echoes Monet’s experience of feeling supported by Jocie. She met with her early on during The Rally, and Jocie’s willingness to listen and provide resources reassured Sarah that her food allergy would be taken seriously. “The allergen resources at Notre Dame made me feel secure in my decision to come here,” Francis says. Unlike other universities she toured, Sarah found that Notre Dame truly understands the importance of accommodating food allergies and takes proactive steps to ensure students' safety.
For Sarah, the key to navigating the dining halls is a mix of checking the online menus, asking the staff if she’s unsure, and utilizing the meal ordering service when needed. She also enjoys getting creative with the dining hall offerings, like the Boom Boom chicken salad with fresh ingredients from various stations.
Sarah’s advice for new students with allergies? “Connect with Jocie. She’s your go-to person for any questions or concerns.”
Ruthanne’s Experience: Confidence and Flexibility
Ruthanne Sandner, a junior majoring in Classics with an Art Studio minor, experiences an anaphylaxis reaction to eggs. Ruthanne appreciates the care and attention Notre Dame takes in ensuring food allergens are addressed. She’s been able to use the Kinetica app to pre-order meals, and she also checks labels in the dining halls to ensure the safety of her meals.
“I feel comfortable asking questions and ensuring that the food I’m eating is safe,” Ruthanne explains. She’s grateful for the transparency provided by campus dining and the training staff receive, which builds trust and reduces her anxiety around eating at the dining halls. For Ruthanne, the flexibility to make informed decisions based on the online menus and allergen labels has made a huge difference in her dining experience.
Ruthanne’s advice to incoming students, “Get friendly with the dining hall staff, they’re all wonderful people and they want nothing more than to help you experience college the right way.” Speaking of her earlier visits to campus, prior to enrolling, Ruthanne mentions, “the campus dining staff made an effort to make me feel at home.”
Support, Safety, and Community: The Notre Dame Dining Experience
Monet sums it up perfectly: “At Notre Dame, there’s a genuine effort to accommodate students with food allergies. The resources are there – you just have to take advantage of them.”
For any student with food allergies, Monet, Ruthanne, and Sarah’s stories serve as reminders that Notre Dame is committed to making dining safe, accessible, and stress-free. Whether it’s ordering ahead, checking the menu, or speaking with a dining staff member, help is always available, making it easier for students to focus on their studies and enjoy their time on campus.
For any specific questions or to schedule a meeting, reach out to Jocie and Ally at dining@nd.edu. You can also learn more here.