Find a College Where Your Child Can Eat Safely
Expert guidance for families navigating the college search with food allergies, celiac disease, Alpha-gal syndrome, and other medically necessary diets.
The Problem: College Dining Isn't Always What It Looks Like on the Tour
Every college says it accommodates food allergies. But the reality varies widely from school to school, and it's hard to tell the difference from a brochure or a quick visit to the dining hall. Some schools have dedicated allergen-free stations, trained staff, and clear emergency plans. Others rely on a label and a hope. For your student, the difference matters every single day.
7-11% of college-aged students in the U.S. have food allergies, and the numbers are rising
Severe food allergies are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Anaphylaxis occurs more often among college-aged individuals
Colleges vary in how they offer safe, accessible & appealing food service for students with special dietary restrictions
How We Help:
Supporting students at every stage, from visits to move-in
Food is not only essential for good health, but builds community. Safe, healthy, appealing, accessible, and inclusive dining at college is a prerequisite for finding the best college fit; however, colleges vary widely in how they accommodate students with special diets. SafeTable Solutions (STS) seeks to identify a safe, inclusive, and equitable college experience—in the dining halls and beyond—for college students with severe food allergies and medically necessary special diets (e.g., celiac disease and Alpha-gal syndrome) (”FA”) by providing support to students and parents during the college search process and transition to college.
Whether you want hands-on guidance or prefer to do the research yourself, there's an option that fits your family. Our package options are below, or the self-paced Online Lessons teach you how to evaluate college dining, what accommodations to ask for, and how to help your teen advocate for themselves. Need something different? We also offer hourly strategy coaching and custom plans.
Sophomore and junior year
Campus Visit Package
Confidential reports on the colleges on your list, with the questions to ask and the people to talk to on every visit.
First visit through first semester
Combined Package
Everything in both packages at a discounted rate, from building your list to securing accommodations on campus.
Senior year
Matriculation Package
Before you commit, an honest look at how each school will handle your student's needs, plus coaching through accommodations.
Who We Are: Meet Christina
“Mom, how will I ever be able to go to college if I can’t even eat safely in my school cafeteria?” This is what one of my two teenage sons with multiple severe food allergies asked me when he was in 4th grade. I promised him, and I promise you, that eating safely at college is possible with some research and preparation.
As a food allergy mom with a J.D., and a M.Ed. in Counseling/Student Affairs in Higher Education, I understand what a huge step it is for students with food allergies to navigate college dining on their own. I have practiced law and worked in various roles at colleges and universities of all sizes - including reading applications for the University of Virginia - for over two decades, in addition to being a food allergy advocate.
I started SafeTable Solutions so that no family has to figure this out alone. With the right preparation, your student can eat safely and fully enjoy college life.
PARENT TESTIMONIALS
Christina Keller provided invaluable support as we navigated the complex process of sending our son with severe food allergies to college. Her thorough assessment, deep knowledge of legal and dietary resources, and strategic guidance helped us make informed decisions with confidence. We felt reassured knowing we had an expert advocating for our child’s safety and well-being.
- MM
TESTIMONIAL
All of the information Christina Keller provided was so helpful and reassuring as we considered my daughter’s college search with celiac disease. I wondered how do families do this without any help? We appreciated Christina so much.
- SM
TESTIMONIAL
SafeTable Solutions really helped us figure out how to approach our college search while balancing our food allergy concerns.
- MH
Allergy-Safe Campus Resources
Moving to college marks a significant transition for all students, especially for those managing food allergies and other medically necessary diets. Fortunately, numerous resources are available to assist you. We've compiled a selection of articles and toolkits to help you prepare for this important step. For any questions, please contact us for a free consultation.
