Creating a taste of home: 3 ways CWRU supports religious dietary needs

Campus dining is about more than just food—it’s an opportunity to give students a taste of home. That’s why Case Western Reserve University’s Dining Services and Bon Appétit, the university’s official on-site food service and dining provider, strive not only to shape students’ daily routines and fuel healthy habits, but also to connect students to their cultural traditions and religious practices.

In an effort to reflect the full campus community, Dining Services and Bon Appétit continue to make meaningful updates to Case Western Reserve’s dining program by working closely with the student-run Food Committee. Made up of representatives from CWRU’s Undergraduate Student Government, Residence Hall Association and Auxiliary Services, the committee helps amplify student voices, ensuring their requests and concerns about food on campus are translated into real changes at dining locations.

“By working directly with these wonderful student ambassadors through this collaborative process, we have made changes along the way to better align with current student needs,” said Vincent W. Gaikens, campus executive chef for Bon Appétit. 

That ongoing collaboration has led to menu updates, holiday-specific meal planning and a greater variety of options for students seeking meals that align with their diets and beliefs.

“We are proud to see how our close collaboration with the Food Committee and Bon Appétit ensures that every student can find a welcoming place at our dining tables through thoughtful accommodations for their religious and cultural traditions,” shared Jason Kimball, assistant director of Dining Services, and Ashley Heidenrich, director of Auxiliary Services.

Here are three ways the partnership between Dining Services, Bon Appétit and the Food Committee has shaped CWRU dining to accommodate religious dietary practices and traditions. 

1. Increased Halal options with adjusted menus for Ramadan

Over the past year, Bon Appétit has increased the use of Halal animal proteins across campus dining thanks to feedback from the Muslim Student Association. Halal is an Arabic term meaning “permissible” or “lawful” and, in relation to food, often refers to meat being properly prepared according to Islamic dietary guidelines. For many Muslim students, access to Halal protein is an important part of having a well-balanced meal on campus. 

In addition to increased Halal options, menu selections are adjusted during Ramadan—the month that commemorates the revelation of the Quran—to better support the daily fast that Muslims take from dawn to sunset.

2. Expanded Kosher selections and dedicated efforts for Hanukkah and Passover

For students looking for Kosher-friendly meals prepared and served according to traditional Jewish dietary laws, Bon Appétit has plenty of parve options. Containing neither meat nor dairy, parve food offers greater flexibility for diets that require separating meat and dairy products.

Beyond making everyday dining accommodations, Bon Appétit and Dining Services have also worked to support students during important Jewish holidays. During Hannukah, special spaces are offered where students can dine with a lit menorah. For Passover, which celebrates the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt, Bon Appétit works directly with Jill Ross at the Cleveland Hillel Foundation and Chef Sherry DeVaughn from Fribley Commons to plan and prepare traditional Passover meals. 

3. Broadened fish and seafood offerings during Lent

During Lent, Bon Appétit engineers seasonal menus to offer more fish and seafood options. Lent is the 40-day period leading up to Easter when many Christians abstain from meat on certain days—particularly Fridays—and opt for alternatives such as fish instead. 

By expanding seafood options during Lent and increasing Halal and Kosher offerings throughout the year, Bon Appétit is doing more than meeting dietary guidelines—it’s helping students stay connected to the traditions, memories and identities that shape who they are. Together with Dining Services and the student‑run Food Committee, their work ensures that CWRU’s dining program reflects its community, offering every student a place at the table that feels welcoming, familiar and truly like home.