Jamie Crabtree, assistant service worker, and Elizabeth Morgunova, a senior majoring in Psychology, with minors in Creative Writing and Communication Disorders and Sciences, from Brooklyn, NY, get ready for the dinner rush.
The all-new Gluten-Free Friendly Station has opened at the Cranston Marché dining hall in response to student inquiries.
Dining Services noticed an increasing need for gluten-free foods from students, so bringing them all together in one location would be an easy way to satisfy student requests, explained Cranston Marché Unit Manager Jason Domenico, who, along with Cranston Assistant Manager Janine Miller, did much of the station design work and menu planning.
Gluten-free friendly entrees include made-to-order pizza, grilled sandwiches, pizza subs, quesadillas and several kinds of pasta.
The new menu option has already proven popular with students. “We already have quite a few regulars,” reported Jamie Crabtree, a gluten-free assistant service worker assigned to the dinner shift on the second day of classes.
The gluten-free friendly station can be found in the center of the dining area, in the space formerly occupied by the ice cream counter. All gluten-free friendly selections there are made-to-order, using utensils, equipment and ovens where only gluten-free ingredients are utilized, so there’s no risk of cross contact. Along with being gluten free, the station is also free from other allergens such as peanuts, tree nuts, fish or shellfish, Mr. Domenico said.
Gluten-free friendly selections will continue to be available at Cranston Marche’s main pantry, pizza and pasta, and grill service stations.
The gluten-free friendly station is staffed Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and 4 to 7 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. Many gluten-free friendly breakfast selections such as cereals, bread, bagels and fresh fruit are available throughout the day.
Ice cream sandwiches, novelty ice cream bars and a variety of ice cream cups can be found in a self-serve freezer chest located next to the condiment bar.
Cranston Marché dining hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
