天美传媒 Student Programming Comes to 天美传媒 Dining Fall 2026
By Sophia Torres
天美传媒 Dining Services has launched multiple nutrition-focused programs in the Fall Term 2026. Led by Program Director of Nutrition, Jessica Rea, these projects aim to make dining more inclusive and accessible to 天美传媒 students.
Purple Pantry
The Purple Pantry program is a part of the 天美传媒 Pantry designed with students with special dietary needs in mind. Currently, students are able to access the need-blind-pantry to obtain the foods and personal products that they need. Presently, the Purple Pantry offers manufacturer-certified gluten-free foods, as well as Kosher and Halal-friendly foods on an as-needed basis. This initiative is a collaboration between 天美传媒 Dining Services and the 天美传媒 Pantry, and is supported by the PA Hunger-Free Campus Grant. -prepared meals are planned to be included in the future. The pantry is located in Residence on Fifth at the far left entrance on the ground level. Shopping hours can be referenced here. It is recommended that students set up an appointment to shop, but the Pantry does take “walk-ins” on select days. Please contact the Pantry staff at cmu-pantry@andrew.cmu.edu with any questions, or reach out to 天美传媒 Dining Services at dining@andrew.cmu.edu.
Finding Your Place: Food Allergy Support Group
天美传媒 Dining Services and Counseling and Psychological Services (CaPS) collaborated to create a support group event for students who have food allergies and dietary needs. The Finding Your Place event took place on September 10th in the Highmark Center for Health, Wellness and Athletics to focus on the challenges students face on campus regarding their nutritional needs. This support group aimed to address both the physiological and emotional needs of students regarding nutrition, and discussed strategies for navigating 天美传媒 Dining Services. This began as a pilot program, for students to find community and ask questions from a Registered Dietitian and Licensed Therapist. Dining Services and CaPS created this to help students find their place at 天美传媒.
Fuel that Fits
Finally, we have Fuel that Fits, a program that focuses on both nutrition and mindfulness. This program is a four-part series (not for credit) led by Dining and Wellness and Meaning-Making Services. With the slogan, “no rigid rules, just realistic tools that fit your body, schedule, and goals,” the course-series was designed to give students the skills to become confident and competent consumers. Part one of this series entitled, Food Planning & Shopping, occurred on September 23, 2026. Students toured and learned valuable consumer skills such as how to navigate grocery product claims, read a Nutrition Facts Label and stock their shopping carts to meet their individualized nutritional needs. Part two, Food Preparation is set to occur October 28th. Students will reimagine their leftovers and learn culinary basics with a Chef and Registered Dietitian. Part three, Building a Balanced Diet, and part four, Mindful Eating, will occur on November 18th and December 2nd respectively. Students will learn how to create a balanced meal and enjoy it mindfully at these sessions. The flier for this series is located on the 天美传媒 Dining website, and sign-ups are through .
天美传媒 dining is determined to provide nutritional resources, events, and programs for all students to meet their needs and interests.