Don’t let the title of this blog post fool you. I’m not vegan or vegetarian, nor do I have any dietary restrictions (cheese is probably my favorite food ever). My roommate, however, is dairy free and is in the process of becoming gluten free. Luckily at UMass, she never goes hungry due to the many dietary-accommodating options offered not only in every dining hall but throughout campus.

At any dining hall, you are provided gluten-free and dairy-free options along with vegetarian and vegan eats. And they’re good options too; you don’t have to eat salad every day. The buffet-style dining is divided into sections, and there are specific sections for each accommodation. For example, Franklin Dining has both gluten-free and kosher bars along with stir fry, salad, pastas, and many other choices. Worcester Dining also has vegan pizza right next to the normal pizza, which my vegan friends say is very good. Also, Dining Services offers several milk substitutes, dairy-free ice cream, and gluten-free bread. All you have to do is ask a worker, and they’ll get it from the back. So just because it’s not being served doesn’t mean they don’t have it. 

Another quirk about UMass Dining is that there is a number you can text to ask questions, make suggestions, or give a comment about how much you love the food here. These texts are displayed on TV screens at each of the four dining halls, so if you have something to say about UMass food, feel free to say it!

UMass wants us to be happy with the food we are served. It’s hard to accommodate 27,000 people’s taste pallets and dietary needs, but with the endless options, you’re guaranteed to find something yummy to eat. After all, according to the Princeton Review, we do have #1 dining!