Food inclusivity is something which needs both an immediate, makeshift resort, but also long-term advocacy and structural change. We are aiming to:

• Increase food variety, to meet the needs of students who might find their needs not being met due to religious and/or a physical ailment, e.g. halal, kosher, those with celiac disease AND other dietary specifications etc. (explained further below)
• Offer religiously appropriate meals during popular religious holidays (e.g. Rosh Hashanah, Diwali, etc.)
• Many USF students opt to eating unhealthy food options due a lack of available options which adhere to their religious beliefs. This directly impacts the health of students.

When planning your daily life, nutrition is a crucial aspect to keep in mind. The way we nourish our bodies affects our health not just in the present but in the future. Students who eat a balanced diet have higher energy levels, are better able to handle stress, and do better in class. That being said, some students are not able to always provide home cooked meals for themselves, whether because of mental/physical health reasons — such as depression or a disease like Multiple Sclerosis- or religious obligation (like a Jewish student during observation of the sabbath) — are left having to rely on the food options provided to them by the school. Although USF claims on their website that their meal plan is one that suits every appetite and that eating on campus is one size fits all, this is unfortunately inaccurate.

While there has been some slow progress towards more inclusive meals on campus —for instance, the Panda Express in the MSC now serves plant-based orange chicken as of this fall semester—the movement is still in its early stages. Unfortunately, not every student or visitor to the dining halls is able-bodied or follows western, Christian-influenced dietary norms. The privileged, able-bodied people who are free from religious dietary obligation do not face any dietary restrictions, and have the privilege to choose whatever they desire of the eating options on campus. However, individuals with dietary needs due to health issues, religious convictions, or even personal dietary beliefs are not catered to by the food in the dining halls. 

Despite the limited instances in which the dining halls provide vegan and gluten-free meals, there is no intersection for those with celiac disease for example, who find themselves in the unfortunate situation of not being able to eat either (like someone who may have religious and physical dietary restrictions). The most persons with dietary limitations, especially due to physical disabilities or religious reasons, experience marginalization; in addition to being disabled since their eating patterns differ from those typical of USF, they also have the least access to food alternatives.