Discover Kins Dining’s New FAST Pantry: Enjoy Delicious Allergen-Free Meals!

Many college students face food allergies, making meal choices tricky. Take Cameron Farley, a public health sophomore. With allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, and mango, she has to be cautious about her meals.

Last year, her roommate carried an EpiPen whenever they ate at Kins Dining. “I felt limited in my options,” Farley shared. “I appreciate the allergen display, but sometimes it’s not enough. If mangoes were nearby, I’d have to avoid certain foods.”

This semester, Kins Dining introduced the FAST pantry, a new resource for students like Cameron. Located at the dining hall entrance, the FAST pantry offers ready-to-eat meals free from the top nine allergens, including peanuts, gluten, and sesame. Emily Shackleton, a registered dietitian with University Housing and Dining, explained its purpose: “We want to make dining safer and more enjoyable for students with allergies.”

Students can easily access the FAST pantry. They just need to email a registered dietitian, complete a brief training, and use their student ID for entry. Shackleton noted, “The training takes about two minutes and confirms that students will use the pantry safely.”

This initiative builds on previous efforts. In 2016, J2 Dining Hall opened the FAST line, which continues to provide allergen-free options. “We aim to serve as many students as possible,” Shackleton added. Now, students have two allergen-safe choices on campus.

Farley thinks the FAST pantry is a smart move. “It’s great for everyone with allergies, especially those with more severe reactions. Having a safe space to eat can make all the difference.” However, she wishes the announcement had come sooner to help students like her get access to allergen-free food faster.

With food allergies on the rise—affecting about 32 million Americans, according to a recent report by the Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE)—the introduction of allergen-free options in college dining halls is more important than ever. As seen in social media discussions, many students are applauding efforts to make dining safer and more inclusive. Facilities like the FAST pantry could lead the trend, setting a standard for other dining services to follow.

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