Behind The Label

When you think about college dining, you probably picture long lines, trays of food, and the excitement of that night’s dinner. However, for students with allergies, it can also feel extremely nerve-wracking and overwhelming. Well, that is until you notice the purple hats.

When I visited Duke University, there were many staff members wearing these purple hats with the writing “Ask Me” on them. This means that they are trained to answer questions about allergens, guide students to safe foods, and help prevent cross-contact. This was part of their “Ask Me” allergen program initiative, making them the first university to lead the path for increased allergy awareness at colleges. It is also the first college/university dining program to be FARECheck Gold recognized for Marketplace and Trinity Café being nut-free-friendly, which are incredible strides in the overall community. (Read more about this incredible step foward below!)

https://today.duke.edu/2023/01/duke-dining-recognized-food-allergen-safety

As someone with a nut allergy, spotting a purple hat immediately made me safer and comfortable. This completely transforms a potentially stressful dining experience into a safe, welcoming one, which is extremely important to feeling at home in college.

Other College Campus Initiatives

• Arizona State University’s Allergen Captain Program

At Arizona State, allergen captains can be found at every dining hall to help you avoid foods you are allergic to. They are available during all open hours and can be identified by their purple uniform.

• University of Maryland’s Purple Zone stations

At the University of Maryland, they have a Purple Zone kitchen, and this zone is a dedicated meal preparation space, separate from the dining hall’s main serving areas, making sure no cross-contamination occurs. They also have self-service Purple Freezers with prepackaged allergy-friendly food to go with an ingredients list always able to be checked, adding another layer of safety.

All in all, these tiny symbols like purple hats may seem small, but they represent broader concepts of safety, education, and inclusion. As more colleges implement ways to train staff and raise awareness, students with allergies can navigate campus dining with confidence. Behind every purple hat, pin, or separate kitchen is one incredible, heartwarming step toward a safer and more inclusive college campus community!!