Welcome!

Binghamton University Dining Services provides a variety of menu options for students who have food allergies, food intolerances, and/or other special dietary needs. Our Registered Dietitians are available to meet and discuss dining options, accommodations, and resources on campus.

Food Allergies & Special Dietary Needs

BUDS works to provide a variety of menu options for students, faculty, and staff who have food allergies, food intolerances, and/or special dietary needs. We can accommodate special dietary needs (i.e., gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free) at any Resident Dining center.

Simple Servings

The Simple Servings station provides safe and appetizing food choices for our customers with food allergies or food intolerances and those who prefer plain and simple foods. 

The Simple Servings station does not offer foods made with the FDA's most common allergens of peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, milk products, eggs, or shellfish. All foods offered are made without gluten-containing ingredients. The typical menu includes meat (i.e., chicken, fish), vegetables (i.e., broccoli, carrots), whole grain (i.e., brown rice, quinoa), and bean/lentil (garbanzo beans, black beluga lentils) options at lunch and dinner. Brunch is served on weekends and is a "build your own" hash bowl. 

Simple Servings staff members are carefully trained to avoid cross-contamination of their menu items. Separate equipment, storage areas, utensils, and preparation areas minimize the chances of allergens in our Simple Servings foods. 

While the Simple Servings station is designed to allow customers an easy way to avoid common allergens, our chefs and dietitians still want to meet all of our customers with special dietary needs. Knowing about customer preferences and limitations allows us to plan our menu to best meet everyone’s needs and allow for individualized meal planning when necessary.

Special Accommodations for Allergy-Friendly Meals

For those with severe and complex allergies, separately prepared meals are available. Please contact Julie or Alexa to best determine how BUDS can meet your dietary needs.

B-Healthy: Choose Well, Be Well

BUDS is proud to support the Healthy Campus Initiative. Our dining team works to provide healthy options across campus every day. We highlight wellness options, offer a variety of nutrition education opportunities, and have Registered Dietitians available to meet with students, faculty, and staff. 

Mindful by Sodexo

Mindful by Sodexo is an approach that focuses on transparency of ingredients, delicious food, satisfying portions, and clarity in message so that making Mindful choices becomes second nature.

Click here for more information.

BUDS Residential Guide to Plant-Forward Dining

Click here for an extensive guide to plant-forward options available in our residential dining halls. 

Look for the icons below on our menus!

VegetarianMenu items with the vegetarian icon do not contain meat or fish but may, or may not, contain dairy, eggs, and/or honey.

VeganMenu items with the vegan icon do not contain any ingredients that came from animals.

Dishes that only use ingredients from plants such as: fruits, veggies, whole grains, legumes,Plant-Based
and nuts. They may also include honey and sugar.

BUDS Residential Guide to Dining Without Gluten

While our dining facilities are not gluten free, we have made it easy for you to identify what items contain gluten ingredients. Click here to find out more.

Contact Our Dietitians

To schedule an appointment or to request a nutrition program/lecture, contact Alexa or Julie: 

Alexa Schmidt, RD, CDN
Office: Room 21, West Gym 
Office Phone: 607.777.2716   
E-Mail: alexa.schmidt@sodexo.com

Julie Lee, MS, RD, CDN  
Office: Rockefeller Center 265  
Office Phone: 607.777.5413    
E-Mail: julie.lee@sodexo.com