Can Western accommodate Kosher diets?

Our residence dining halls and campus operations do not have Kosher kitchens. Pre-prepared and pre-packaged Kosher meals can be ordered in, and are available upon request. 

During Passover, special ordered Kosher meals are offered across all eight residence dining halls and at certain campus locations. Please contact nutritionservices@uwo.ca for a complete list.

If you are looking for certified Kosher products off campus, most grocery stores have a variety of options available. There is also an independently run Kosher kitchen located near campus for students who are interested. Please reach out to Western Hillel for more information.
 

Can Western accommodate students with allergies and special diets?

At Western, the safety of our students is a high priority. Our goal is to foster an equally safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for all students. 

Hospitality Services at Western employs a full-time Registered Dietitian who works to help ensure information regarding food allergy is transparent and widely accessible. They can be reached by email (nutritionservices@uwo.ca) or phone (519) 661-3855. 

Across campus, our culinary teams are knowledgeable around the importance of food safety and allergen risk management in the prevention of cross contamination. If you are in a dining hall, or on campus, and want an immediate answer to a specific question, please ask to speak with the Manager, Supervisor or Chef.

Please note that while we do our utmost to address your dietary requirements, there might be instances where accommodating your needs may not be feasible. Some students with multiple, potentially life-threatening allergies may want to pursue accommodation off campus. 
 

What can I do as a student with food allergy?

Food allergy management is a shared responsibility. We are here to assist you make informed food choices and we can provide one-on-one support to help you successfully meet your needs. You are, however, ultimately responsible for your allergy. You are expected to:

  • Review our Dietary Responsibilities document.
  • Self-identify to our culinary team members. 
  • Know what you're allergic to. Make sure you connect with your allergist shortly before coming to Western to be sure your tests are up to date. 
  • Always carry an epinephrine auto-injector (e.g., Epi, ALLERJECT, Emerade) if one has been prescribed to you. 
  • Carry identification and your cell phone. A medical alert bracelet can also provide important information in an emergency. 
  • Ask before you eat. If you're unsure about any ingredients or menu items, please ask. We identify the 11 priority allergens outlined by Health Canada at the point-of-purchase, but it's still important that you take time to ask. Our culinary staff member can review ingredients and cooking methods with you. 
  • Educate those around you on how to recognize symptoms of an allergic reaction and what to do. This might include your Don, roommates, friends and others you interact with on a regular basis. You're not alone. Many students on campus have food allergies. 
  • Plan ahead. Living with food allergies means being prepared and staying safe. If you are going to be away from your usual residence dining hall for certain meals, make a plan. Consider picking up a safe meal option earlier or speaking with a member of our culinary staff when visiting an unfamiliar food service location. 
  • Consider registering with Accessible Education. You are encouraged to register with Accessible Education  before the academic year begins as they may be able to provide you with resources and services that could be of assistance to you at Western. If you provide Accessible Education with information that you believe would be helpful to your residence room assignment, please provide them with permission to share the pertinent information with Housing Admissions. For more information: email aew@uwo.ca or call (519) 661-2147. 
  • If you are having a difficult time finding meal options that meet your needs, please contact our Registered Dietitian at nutritionservices@uwo.ca, and together, a plan will be developed.
     

What should I do if I suspect am having an allergic reaction while at Western?

  • If you suspect you are having an allergic reaction, report it immediately. Tell a friend, call the front desk if you live in residence, or tell one of the culinary team members if you are eating on campus. 
  • Have someone call 911 from a campus phone to dispatch the Student Emergency Response Team (SERT) or 911 from a cell phone to dispatch Emergency Medical Services (EMS). SERT is equipped with a stock epi-pen auto-injector. For more information on SERT: https://sert.uwo.ca/home/ 
  • Do not go anywhere alone. Stay with a friend or someone you know until SERT or EMS arrives. 
  • If anaphylaxis (the most severe allergy reaction) is suspected, don't wait and see whether symptoms improve. It's better to administer your epinephrine auto-injector, it's safe and easy to use. 
  • After administering an epi-pen, it is essential that you go to the hospital. You could have a secondary (biphasic) reaction and require another dose. 
     

Are the dining halls in the residences allergen-free?

Residence dining halls are not allergen- or gluten-free. We take steps to minimize exposure and control cross-contamination to the best of our ability. We work to accommodate students, staff and visitors with allergies, intolerances or special diets. Please connect with us to discuss your needs further.
 

We ask that you self-identify. What does that mean?

It means that we want you to tell us about your allergy or other dietary restriction. 

For students living in residence, here's what we ask that you do: 

  • In the myHousing Portal - as part of your "Residence Placement Questionnaire" you will have the option to submit a "Residence Accessibility Request" Form. Complete this form by the deadline only if you feel your dietary restriction should be taken into consideration during the building assignment process. A qualified health care provider will need to substantiate your request by completing the necessary section on the form. With your consent, the Department of Housing shares your dietary information with the Registered Dietitian and Executive Chef in Hospitality Services.  
  • In the summer once your building assignment is announced, you will be encouraged to list your food allergies and dietary restrictions within the Dietary Questionnaire when completing the "Residence On-boarding Process" in the myHousing Portal. With your consent, the information you provide here is also shared with the Registered Dietitian and Executive Chef in Hospitality Services. All students who identify as having a severe allergy, intolerance or other diet-related medical condition will be invited by email to book a (virtual) meeting with our Registered Dietitian prior to moving in, to discuss your dietary needs, the supports available within residence dining, and answer any questions you may have - family is welcome to attend.  
  • Students will be asked to if they consent to having their allergy information included in a document (our Student Identification Form), which will be shared with the culinary support team. This document will be sent to students that identified as having an allergy, intolerance, or special diet via their Western University email address (@uwo.ca) in August. You are required to provide a photo of yourself in this document, as it will assist our culinary team in familiarizing themselves with you. 
  • If you do not complete the "Residence Accessibility Request" Form, nor disclose your dietary restrictions during the residence on-boarding process, it is highly recommended to contact our Registered Dietitian (nutritionservices@uwo.ca) as soon as possible. 
    If you are within the dining hall, or on campus, and looking for an immediate answer, ask to speak with the Unit Manager, Chef or Supervisor in your dining hall at any time.