UWL opens The A9 Eatery to support students with food allergies

UWL opens The A9 Eatery to support students with food allergies

A new dining station has been added to UWL's Whitney Dining Center, offering full-service meals specifically for students with food allergies and dietary needs.

The A9 Eatery opened at the start of the fall semester, occupying the space that previously housed Char's, which had been closed since the pandemic.

"The new operation is two-fold. We've reopened a large dining space that's been closed for several years, and we're now able to support students in a more advanced way," says Kyle Burke, director of University Centers and Student Engagement. "This is the first program in the Universities of Wisconsin system to offer a full-service station with hot food options made without the top nine allergens and gluten, for two meals a day."

The A9 Eatery supports a growing student demand for an allergen-safe dining space. Since A9 opened at the start of the semester, the number of students reporting documented allergies (currently required to gain access to A9) has tripled.

All food prepared at A9 is free from the nine major allergens-milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans and sesame - as well as gluten. This allergen-safe environment was made possible through a close partnership between Dining Services, University Centers and the ACCESS Center, working together to ensure students with dietary restrictions have a safe and welcoming space to dine.

"The quality and variety of food is excellent," says Chancellor James Beeby, who recently toured the facility with other university leadership. "The A9 Eatery is an environment where the food is safe for students with dietary needs, and it creates a campus dining space where they're fully supported. I'm really glad we have it."

The A9 Eatery offers a variety of allergen-friendly options, including stir fry, build-your-own nachos, gyro bowls, quesadillas and a fully stocked salad bar. Students on the Stryker Classic or Deluxe Dining Plans can access the eatery at no additional cost, with meal swipes tracked for entry.

"The food is great," says Bennett Bookter, a sophomore who uses the A9 Eatery. "I experienced previous years of this program, where boxed and pre-packaged meals were provided, and you had to order online before picking it up. This is so much easier to use. I just come in and eat whenever, and the food is always fresh. It's been awesome so far. I love the program."

Managed by Campus Dietician Jess Harke and Executive Chef Eric Nockles, the A9 Eatery is staffed by trained Chartwells employees, all of whom have received ServSafe Allergen certification to ensure the highest standards of food safety.

"They did an amazing job previously with limited resources," Burke says. "Now, we're able to provide many more. Currently, we're serving students with certified allergens through their medical provider, but we also know that students have sensitivities. We eventually want to branch out to serve the whole UWL community."

Students can also visit Main Dining after dining at A9 to avoid cross-contamination, without incurring a second meal swipe.

To access The A9 Eatery, students can work with the ACCESS Center and the campus dietician fordining accommodations. Faculty and staff interested in using The A9 Eatery should contact Lizzy Haywood.