FSU, Aramark Adds True Balance Station for Students with Food Allergies

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Fayetteville State University announced it is partnering with Aramark to add a True Balance station in the Rudolph Jones Student Center’s dining hall offering more options to students with food allergies or specific dietary needs.

FSU’s Division of Student Affairs, Bronco Wellness and Aramark hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to introduce campus wellness ambassadors to the station. “We want our students to know we truly care about them and their needs,” Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Juanette Council, Ed.D., said at the ribbon cutting.

The ceremony allowed the ambassadors to become the first Bronco students to partake of the new allergy-friendly options. “As Wellness Ambassadors, we share information about student support options for physical and mental health,” said Niayah McFadden, a senior political science student and former Miss FSU.

Andre Poyser, a senior pre-health biology major and wellness ambassador, is excited to connect with students and educate them about the True Balance station. “I look forward to talking about the creativity and variety of options while still catering to students with food allergies,” he said. “It will also let our peers know student leadership is listening, university administration is listening, we are working together and the food is really good.”

FSU and Aramark, the campus food services provider, worked closely to bring the True Balance station to enhance the gluten-free options already offered in the dining hall. The station offers a complete meal without gluten and the top nine food allergens: milk, eggs, wheat, soy, shellfish, fish, tree nuts, peanuts and sesame. Staff members are dedicated and trained to serve from this AllerCheck-certified station with a clean plate each time.

“All of our recipes and products are vetted, and staff dedicated to the station must pass our AllerCheck training,” said Kelli Wood, regional dietitian with Aramark. “We want to ensure we are not introducing allergens. When you are at the station, you might notice the equipment is labeled with purple.”

The cookware and utensils, plates and even kitchen storage are labeled purple to reduce opportunities for cross-contamination and introducing allergens into the True Balance area. “The station has two purple cones letting us know only trained staff should be beyond this point in the station as additional safety protocols,” said Nikeshia Pointe, Aramark’s general manager for FSU.

There is a rise in students who identify as having a food allergy,” said Wood. “I think the latest statistic is around 45%,” she added. With a higher demand to accommodate allergen-friendly diets, True Balance not only helps students with allergies but also solves problems for students with celiac or gastrointestinal-related issues. FSU is one of about nine universities in Aramark’s east region to introduce True Balance to at least one dining hall on campus.

The True Balance station is available in the RJSC dining hall for lunch and dinner. For more information, contact FSU Dining by calling 910-672-1039.