“I saw on the Instagram story that this was dairy-free, so I came running,” said a student attending a campus dining pop-up. Comments like that are not uncommon at Elon University in North Carolina. There, social media is providing a real-time connection between students with food allergies and the dining services staff.
“Our goal is to naturally include allergen-friendly dining in our regular social media programming,” registered dietitian Allyson West tells Allergic Living. “It is not as an afterthought, but as a core part of how we tell the story of Elon Dining.”
Posts featuring engaging photography and reels, reach a fast-growing number of the college’s Instagram and Facebook followers. The Elon Dining social media accounts share posts about dining for all students. But their digital specialist ensures that content features allergy-friendly meals, events and information.
For example, a photo of a waffle cone overflowing with refreshing ice cream helped announce a partnership with Andia’s, an ice cream company in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Instagram post showcases Andia’s gluten-free and vegan flavor, Summer Blues, that was available on campus.
Other posts that resonated include a reel announcing there would no longer be an upcharge for dairy alternatives at Acorn, the campus coffee shop, West says. Dishes made free of the top 9 allergens, and allergen-friendly options at campus events are also highlighted.
“We want students with food allergies to feel like they’re part of the full experience, not a separate one,” says West. She’s the director of Health and Wellbeing at Harvest Table Culinary Group, the food services provider for Elon.
Elon U: National Recognition
Elon Dining is getting noticed on the national stage for serving flavorful allergy-friendly fare and showcasing it through social media.
MenuTrinfo, a leader in food allergy safety, awarded Elon Dining with the 2025 award for “Best Campus Social Media Presence for Allergen-Free Dining.”
“We are truly honored,” says West. “Social media is a huge part of connecting with our students and we strive to be as inclusive and inspiring as possible.”
High-quality photography is central to the success of posts that capture all areas of the dining program. In addition, the college’s dietitian helps ensure the content is accurate, which builds trust.
Elon chefs are also being celebrated for their allergy-friendly cooking.
Elon Dining won the bronze in the 2024 and 2025 National Association of College and University Food Service (NACUFS) Nutrition Awards for special diet recipe of the year. The 2024 award-winning recipe is an innovative potato pakora recipe free of the top 9 allergens. The “Made Without Gluten Fried Catfish” won for 2025.
Elon Dining’s social media team was sure to celebrate the awards.
Top 9-Free on Campus
Trust in Elon Dining’s ability to safely provide a variety of allergy-friendly options is a priority at the private college, located in North Carolina’s Piedmont region.
The commitment to safety includes menu transparency with ingredient information and allergen declarations online and on dining hall digital boards. In addition, the dining staff must complete allergy training through MenuTrinfo’s AllerTrain program.
Students with food allergies, celiac disease and other dietary restrictions can find meals free of the top 9 allergens at Allgood on campus. The dedicated station in Lakeside Dining Hall features main entrees as well as made-to-order options, such as acai bowls and freshly made tacos.
Lakeside Dining Hall is also home to the allergy-friendly pantry, Harvest 9. The access-granted pantry has a designated prep area and various grab-and-go items made without the top 9 allergens.
“It is a priority to offer a variety of allergen-friendly meals,” West says.
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