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, we have an on-site Registered Dietitian and Nutrition & Well-Being Manager to help guide these initiatives. If you have a food allergy or special dietary concern, we want to meet one-on-one to ensure that your dining experience is safe, delicious, and social. Please contact Hayden Thrasher at hayden.thrasher@sodexo.com

Individual Nutrition Counseling

I am available as a free resource for dietary and individual nutrition counseling needs. Students seek these services for a variety of reasons including:

  • Managing food allergies, celiac disease and diabetes
  • Intuitive Eating/Mindful Eating Support
  • Disordered Eating Patterns
  • Vegan and Vegetarian nutrition

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 "ready to go" for our customers with food allergies, gluten intolerance, or for those who prefer plain and simple foods. The Simple Servings station does not offer foods made with the FDA most-common allergens of peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, wheat, soy, milk products, or eggs. All foods offered will be made without gluten-containing ingredients. Simple Servings staff members are carefully trained to avoid cross-contamination 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.


Simple Servings is open to anyone and is located at The COG, running five days a week. For more information on Simple Servings, please contact Hayden Thrasher at hayden.thrasher@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 nut, peanut, 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 ma 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)