Welcome to Zag Dining Nutrition!

Sodexo is a quality of life company that is dedicated to addressing nutrition education across all areas of our business in a manner that fully aligns with the goals of Gonzaga University. To Sodexo, nutrition education plays a huge role in creating a positive food culture that goes beyond individual nutrition counseling and presentations. Nutrition education also includes staff training, menu development, diverse food offerings that appeal to different food cultures, and sustainability efforts. To ensure that nutrition education efforts continue to be at the heart of our operations, we have a Regional Registered Dietitian to help guide these initiatives. If you have a food allergy or want to talk about meal plan exemptions, reach out to our Zag Dining General Manager Nathan Child who collaborates with our Regional Registered Dietitian at nathan.child@sodexo.com.

Menu Development, Stations and Labeling

Menu planning is considerate of nutrition factors, dietary needs and preferences. This includes ongoing training for Vegan, Simple Servings and My Zone platforms. The "Big-8" allergens information will continue to be available and displayed at residential dining stations.

  • Vegan and vegetarian options are available in resident dining locations
  • Vegetarian items contain no meat, fish or poultry, or any meat products such as soup base. Our vegetarian offerings meet the needs of lacto-ovo-vegetarians and may include eggs and/or dairy products
  • Vegan offerings contain no meat, fish, eggs, milk or other animal-derived products such as honey

Simple Servings is our resident dining option, providing safe and appetizing food choices for our customers with food allergies, Celiac disease, or for those who prefer simple foods. The Simple Servings station does not offer foods made with 7 of the FDA’s most-common allergens of peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, wheat, soy, milk products, or eggs. Fin fish, the 8th FDA specified allergen, maybe offered at this station but it is only ever included in ‘obvious’ fish dishes, such as whole pieces of fish (sauces containing fish will never be served here). In addition, this station is gluten free. Simple Servings staff members are carefully trained to avoid cross-contact of their menu items. Separate equipment, storage areas, utensils, and preparation areas minimize, but do not totally eliminate, the chances of gluten and allergens in our Simple Servings foods.

The Simple Servings station is open 5 days a week to anyone and is located at The COG, but Simple Servings menu items are available 7 days a week (just ask a server for the Simple Servings option). For more information on Simple Servings, please contact Zag Dining General Manager Nathan Child at nathan.child@sodexo.com.


Simple Servings

My Zone is our campus "pantry" located at The COG where food items needed by students with Celiac disease or food allergies are stored with precautions against cross-contact. This special area is free of tree nuts, peanuts, and gluten-containing ingredients and products. My Zone gives students the ability to be involved in their own allergen-safe meal preparation.

Food Allergies and Preferences

From general manager to front line servers, we work diligently to address students specific needs, especially those with food allergies, Celiac disease, or other special dietary needs. Our menu system provides ingredient statements specifically highlighting the Big Eight allergens: milk, eggs, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soy. Guests may check on the presence of allergens prior to planning their meals by using the online menu found in the Bite App. The absence of an allergen listed on posted or electronic product signage is not a guarantee that the product is free of that allergen. The guest is responsible for communicating their allergy to a supervisor or manager to ensure safety.

Additional Resources

Should there be additional challenges resulting from medical conditions, please submit a Meal Plan Exemption Request (myGU login required)

"Fuel Up" with Hayden Thrasher RD

Fuel Up

"Fuel Up' is presented by Zag Dining as a service to our student athlete community. Every episode will cover a different aspect of how you can fuel your athletic and academic performance . 

Episode 1: February 24,2022. 

"Nutrition Needs and Timing"