Thrive- Michigan State’s Top 8 Allergen Free Cafeteria
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The internet has been abuzz since Michigan State University announced their new Thrive dining concept. Announced in spring of 2019, this cafeteria serves meals free from the top 8 allergens, gluten and sesame. I recently enjoyed a meal there and am excited to tell you all about it!
Where is Thrive Dining Hall at MSU?
Situated near the center of campus, Thrive resides inside Owen hall. Previously exclusively for graduates, Michigan State opened this hall to all students. Because of the uniqueness of Thrive’s meal offerings, the school reserved rooms for students with food restrictions.
Due to its small size, Owen became an ideal dorm to renovate for a specialty dining option. Michigan State previously did this with Holmes and Holden halls. Those smaller dorms became ideal to transform into kitchens that serve no peanuts, tree nuts or coconut.
Why was Thrive Created?
As I previously wrote, Michigan State offers gluten free options across campus. However, staff increasingly found themselves receiving calls about their ability to accommodate food allergies. While they liked how U of M offered a separate food allergy room, MSU felt the need to do more to help more students, as well as staff. Their goal was to not help students to “survive” on a few options, but to “thrive” with a safe dining area of their own.
How Safe is the Thrive Kitchen?
Read this excerpt from MSU’s recent publication on the Exciting Changes to Owen Hall.
“Thrive at Riverwalk Market at Owen will be certified free from the top eight food allergens (milk, eggs, soy, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish) as well as sesame and gluten. The location will be certified by Kitchens With Confidence, a third-party accreditor that will regularly examine protocols and policies to verify the location as being free of the allergens listed. Certification includes reviewing the path of food from delivery at the dock to storage areas, food preparation areas, and serving.”
What Food Do They Offer?
Thrive contains three serving stations, a soup and salad bar, a soft serve machine that serves Dole Whip, and beverages. The three serving stations, named Tenderland, Grid and Pantry, serve very specific items. Tenderland offers hand breaded chicken fingers and french fries, daily, at lunch and dinner.
The Grid station serves foods such as tacos, noodle bowls, grain bowls and ethnic creations. The Pantry station serves steak, rotisserie chicken, potatoes, and other “traditional” types of meals.There is discussion of possibly adding a vegetarian station in the future, should enough interest arise. Visit Eat At State for the daily Thrive menu.
I must admit my biggest excitement was the housemade coconut milk vanilla yogurt. I’ve tried many dairy free yogurts, and this is by far the best I’ve ever tried. You’ll find the yogurt on the salad bar, along with their house made Gluten free granola. They prepare it daily with Bob’s Red Mill gluten free oats. And of course I loved the Dole Whip.
But I Can’t Have …
Michigan State realizes people live with other food restrictions as well. Students can work with the dietitian and dining hall staff to have made-to-order meals prepared for their health needs. In addition, foods that contain pork, beef or alcohol are labeled as such.
What Feedback Have They Received?
I spent the meal talking with MSU’s head dietitian, Gina Keilen. She was eager to create Thrive to serve students and staff. However, she’s been astounded by the positive reception it’s had, just in their first month of opening. Not just her, but service staff have been humbled by the praise and happy tears from visitors.
She mentioned this positive reception has reinvigorated the entire dining services department. Staff with dietary restrictions are eager to work here and help others like them. Staff willingly take extra certification classes, understanding their knowledge can truly be a matter of life and death.
What Hours is Thrive Open?
Right now, hours are Monday – Friday 11 am – 3pm / 4:30- 7 pm, and Saturday & Sunday 11 am – 3 pm. As they gauge student interest, breakfast service may be added. (Gina stated chefs are already in the kitchen, playing with recipes in preparation for when that day comes.) Thrive is open to the public. Breakfast costs $9, lunch and dinner $13, and children ages 2-9 cost $6.75. Children under the age of 2 eat free. Click here for more info on meal costs and dining plans.
Where Do I Park?
There is some limited (and paid) parking right in front of Owen Hall. The last time I visited, on a Sunday in November, I had no problems finding a parking spot. If that space is full the best locations to park are Ramp 3 (Wharton Center) or Ramp 1 (next to the College of Law). For more questions about parking at MSU, visit their Visitor Parking page.
Thrive Location, Hours and Contact Information
Owen Hall
735 E Shaw Lane
East Lansing MI 48825
Hours : Monday – Friday 11 am – 3pm / 4:30- 7 pm Saturday & Sunday 11 am – 3 pm
Eat at State (MSU Dining) Website | Facebook | Instagram
Other Dining Halls I’ve Visited
University of Michigan
Oakland University
Western Michigan University
**I received a free meal while visiting. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own. I am beyond excited that Michigan State chose to take this drastic step to help students. **
I love this so much!
Did you have a sense that a vegetarian could find food to eat here?
You could definitely eat the salad bar. Depending on what’s available at The Grid, you may be able to get a noodle bowl without the protein. It’s difficult to do vegetarian protein without soy, tho. I have recommended Hilary’s Eat Well products to them, since they are free from the top 8 allergens, as well as gluten, sesame and corn. I have successfully eaten at the Vegetarian station at Brody Hall, as well.
How about Central Michigan University? Are they GF.? If you come to check them out be sure to let me kK ow so we can meet. Great articles.
Barb Dunn
I have not personally visited them. Their website has an “avoiding gluten” logo for the menu, but their website states “This logo does not meet the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) definition of “gluten-free.” They offer students a “A Don’t Be Shy card” via their mobile phone, and someone will make their meal safely. Or so their website states. They state that they are “FARE Certified food allergen trained.”
I wish they had something like this at EMU. This looks so cool and I’ll have to stop by sometime!
Have you been to Delicious Without at the Commmons? “Delicious Without at The Commons: For students with severe allergies + intolerances, The Commons’ Delicious Without station is your safest option. This station avoids the top allergies (wheat/gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, fish + sesame.) We strive to prevent cross-contact by using separate surfaces, equipment, and utensils to prepare menu items. If you need special meal arrangements outside the station hours, please contact us by texting our nutrition line at (314) 222-7656”