On Grounds Resources

The most important thing about a “healthy diet” is that it fits your life, fosters good health, and sustains the maintenance of a stable and healthy body weight. UVA Dine provides you with meals that are filled with fresh, flavorful, and satisfying foods that you will love. We make good-for-you seem right-for-you!

If you have a specialized dietary request, please contact the manager of that location. You may also email our registered dietitian, Rahma Rekik, with any general nutrition questions or concerns.

Our Dietitian is here to help take the mystery out of healthy eating! For more information or assistance with food allergies or dietary restrictions, students are invited to schedule a meeting with Rahma Rekik at rekik-rahma@aramark.com. Private consultations or group meetings are a free service for UVA students with a Meal Plan.

If you have a food allergy, intolerance or special diet, your first step is to self-identify and meet with the Dietitian, Rahma Rekik who will work with you personally to create a customized meal plan that fits your needs.

Here’s our step-by-step process on eating well when you have a specialized diet:

#1. Meet with the Dietitian, Rahma Rekik to discuss food options in more detail and to take a personal tour of dining locations so that you can get to know the chefs and location managers of the locations you most frequent. Through this team approach, students are encouraged to take accountability for their own safety in the context of receiving support amidst a “family kitchen” atmosphere.

#2. Decide with Rahma if the best option for eating safe is to request individualized prepared meals on a daily basis. Individualized service is available for all meal plan holders based on need or preference. Students can also request an individual meal at the time of service. It just might take a few moments to get it ready! Everyone should feel comfortable asking for a specialized plate to meet their dietary and medical needs.

If further accommodations are needed, visit the Student Disability Access Center (https://www.studenthealth.virginia.edu/student-disability-access-center).

#3. Become familiar with the menu and offerings on the Copper Hood stations at O’Hill and Fresh Food Co.

#4. The last step is simply taking charge of your health – we are here to partner with you and keep you nourished, safe and happy at the University of Virginia. Students are always welcome to come into the kitchen and read ingredient labels and talk to our culinary team about being safe in our residential dining facilities. Please do not hesitate to contact us to start the conversation. We also welcome feedback from current students and parents so that we can improve the program for all students on Grounds.

The Copper Hood station is a dedicated allergen-friendly station in The Dish at O’Hill & Fresh Food Co. During lunch and dinner, the Copper Hood serves menu items made without gluten and the following allergens: egg, milk, soy, wheat, shellfish, fin fish, tree nuts, peanuts, and sesame (all of the Big Nine Allergens).

Follow UVA Dine on Instagram or Facebook for nutrition news and tips to be Healthy for Life! Connect with our registered dietitian, Rahma Rekik.

The Copper Hood stations at Fresh Food Co., and The Dish at O’Hill are free of the “BIG 9” Allergens including Gluten. All products used in the entrées and sides at this station are vetted thoroughly by our national nutrition team and the UVA Dine Dietitian. All employees who work at this station are trained extensively and repeatedly using the Food Allergy Research and Education Information (FARE) and ServSafe programs. All cooking spaces, equipment, and utensils are properly cleaned, stored, and disinfected according to FARE and food safety standards. We take immense pride in The Copper Hood program and will continue to expand the menu selection and improve the experience for our students with food allergies and intolerances.

At your request, we have included The Copper Hood menu in our online listing for these locations on our website. This means that the following disclaimer is displayed at the bottom of each menu item: Aramark relies on our vendors' allergy warning and ingredient listings. Because we operate a commercial kitchen where ingredient substitutions, recipe revisions, and cross-contact with allergens is possible, Aramark cannot guarantee that any food item will be completely free of allergens. We also work personally with the students to ensure their needs are being met at The Copper Hood and all other stations in our dining rooms. Please reach out to us at dining@virginia.edu if you have any questions regarding our dining program.