Kent State introduces first gluten-free dining hall

At the start of the 2016 academic year, Kent State University became the first university in the country to feature an entirely gluten-free dining hall on campus.

Kent State restructured Prentice Cafe after college administrators noticed that the number of students arriving on campus with gluten intolerance was rising each year.

An estimated 3 million Americans suffer from celiac disease, a genetic autoimmune disorder that affects the digestive process. When a person who has celiac disease consumes gluten, the individual's immune system attacks the small intestine and inhibits the body's ability to absorb important nutrients. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley.

Kent State aims to make college life easier for student who need gluten-free foods. At Prentice Cafe, all menu items are gluten-free. Although many campuses offer gluten-free products and some even offer gluten-free stations in their dining halls, Kent State is the first campus to offer an entire dining hall that is certified gluten-free.

"Students' needs have always been our top priority," Rich Roldan, director of university dining services at Kent State said. "Students have enough to worry about. They should not have to worry about their food being safe to eat. It is important they can eat in a safe environment, which is why we decided to make Prentice Cafe a gluten-free dining location."

Prentice Cafe earned certification from the Gluten-Free Food Services Certification Program, a food safety program offered through the Gluten Intolerance Group. The Gluten Intolerance Group is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering the gluten-free community through consumer support, advocacy and education.

Anyone is welcome to dine at Prentice Cafe, which is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Fridays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. In addition to every item being gluten-free, the menu also features a variety of vegan and vegetarian dishes, as well as foods that support a healthy lifestyle. The cafe accepts meal plans, cash and credit cards.

Prentice Cafe opened on Aug. 29, the first day of the fall semester, A grand opening  celebration will be held on Sept. 7. The event will include opportunities to sample items, as well as educational displays and prizes. Visit www.kent.edu/dining for more information.