Our Philosophy

Our campus chefs and Registered Dietitian are here to help take the guesswork out of healthy eating. We recognize and accommodate various food allergies, eating patterns, and special dietary needs in a way that is personalized, sensitive, and supportive. In fact, we take pride in our ability to create an individualized plan that fits every lifestyle. For more information, email our Registered Dietitian, Cody Ellis, MS, RD, LDN, at ellis-cody@aramark.com.

Our team boasts years of collective experience and leverages the latest science and health information from trusted organizations like the American Heart Association & MenuTrinfo. Check out some of our latest healthy living ideas at FYP365.com. 

Dietitian Services 

Carolina Food Co. employs a full-time Registered Dietitian, who contributes to our foundation of having safe and nutritious food available on campus. Services to students, faculty, and staff include: 

• Food Allergies 

• Individualized one-on-one consultations  

• Common Topics: food allergies, dietary restrictions, food intolerances/sensitivities, general health and wellness goals, medical conditions 

• Personalized campus dining tours according to your class schedule  

• Access to allergen and ingredient information  
• Introductions to our campus chefs & dining management team

• Health and Wellness  

• Health and wellness events that foster student engagement
• Social media content and informational signage that brings awarness to the importance of a healthy lifestyle
• Collaborations with on-campus organizations and departments to promote student health and wellness 
• Menu audits to assess the quality of campus menus and ensure the availability of nutrient-dense options 

Interested in setting up an appointment?  

Email Cody Ellis at ellis-cody@aramark.com for additional requests or information.

Special Dietary Needs

As a rule, we strive to accommodate all forms of dietary needs and preferences. Students with medically documented dietary restrictions (including food allergies, intolerances, and related conditions) are strongly encouraged to register with the Student Disability Resource Center so our team can provide effective support. Once this process is completed, our Registered Dietitian will personally reach out to set up a meeting and discuss any potential questions/concerns you may have.

Carolina Food Co. is always open to feedback and suggestions concerning the offerings/accommodations available in our dining halls. If you see room for improvement, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Registered Dietitian!

Additional Dietary Restriction Resources

• True Balance stations (located at Gamecock Park, Honeycomb Café, The Pavilion at Campus Village, and Gibbes Court Bistro) serve meals prepared without the top 9 allergens (egg, fish, milk, peanuts, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, wheat/gluten, sesame)
• These stations have their own prep/storage areas, dedicated equipment, color-coded utensils, and specific ordering guide to minimize the risk of cross-contact
• Allergen and ingredient information for campus dining halls is available through the Nutrislice app (downloadable here), or via  sc.nutrislice.com
• A full nutrition facts label is available for every menu item and the app even includes a nutrition calculator function to easily track a day’s worth of meals
• The OrderIT app, which is essentially a specialized ordering system for students with documented food allergies
• Students can create an individualized profile that outlines their specific dietary needs, and send orders directly to our chefs/managers at participating dining halls
• Static clings can be found on the front of every dining hall station, which indicate what allergen-friendly alternatives are available upon request (common offerings include made-without gluten breads, buns, pizza crust, pasta, bagels, cereal, vegan cheese, and dairy-free milk alternatives)
• Our Gamecock General Stores also offer a continually increasing selection of allergen-friendly items such as gluten-free cookies, dairy-free ice cream, and more!
• For the most up-to-date list of accommodations, please visit our FARE College Search page

Guide to Managing Food Allergies

Managing your allergy on campus doesn't have to be difficult or inconvenient. Check out the detailed food allergy management guide for more information on our philosophy here at USC!

Residential Dining
As a bonus feature, our menus utilize Wellness Icons — making it easy to find the foods that fit any lifestyle! 

• Eat Well: Applies to over 30% of menu items on our residential dining menus over the semester. Our Eat Well selections are lower in calories, saturated fat, and sodium AND at least one full serving of nutritionally dense ingredients like vegetables, lean protein, whole grains or fresh greens.
• Made with Whole Grain: These selections comprise over 15% of menu items on our residential dining menus through the semester. Whole grains are a leading ingredient in this item.
• Vegetarian and Vegan: Makes up over 30% of our menus. Our culinary team and dietitians assure that vegetarian selections contain no meat, fish or poultry. Our vegan selections contain no animal products of any kind. In addition, vegan items can not include dairy, eggs, or honey.
• Plant-Forward: These selections feature a style of cooking and eating that emphasizes healthy plants at the center of the plate with a proportionally small quantity of animal protein.
• Cool Foods: Certified climate-friendly by the World Resources Institute. They have a low impact on the climate, making them a delicious way to help the planet.
• Made Without Gluten: Selections made with ingredients that do not contain gluten. IMPORTANT: Foods prepared without gluten containing ingredients may not be ‘gluten-free’ since recipes are prepared in open kitchens where cross-contact is possible. Aramark relies on its manufacturers’ ingredient listings in determining whether an ingredient contains gluten.