Friendly Fork

  1. Home
  2. Offices and Services
  3. Dining Services
  4. Food Allergies
  5. Friendly Fork
Offices and Services
Pushpin

Opening Fall 2025

Visit Friendly Fork in Vail Commons, Davidson College's allergen-certified station for foods free from all nine main allergens.

Friendly Fork, a Davidson College Dining Services initiative, creates safe and inclusive dining experiences. 

We prioritize clear allergen communication, trained staff, and dedicated safe spaces to ensure all guests, especially those with food allergies or dietary restrictions, dine with confidence and personalized support.

How Does It Work?

Every dining location has a designated Friendly Fork expert, identifiable by their red "Davidson Dining" shirts, on duty during all operating hours. These trained team leaders are certified in handling allergen-safe requests and use dedicated allergen equipment to minimize cross-contact.

Stations at Friendly Fork

At Vail Commons, we go above and beyond to accommodate guests with dietary restrictions with a dedicated kitchen and serving area that excludes the top nine main allergens, a specially trained team ensuring safe preparation and service, and three inclusive dining stations under the Friendly Fork umbrella!

  • Power Plant is a 100% vegan and gluten-free station, making meals from scratch daily.
  • Herbs & Spices is a delicious Halal Indian cuisine station, showcasing bold flavors and careful attention to allergens.
  • Corner Grill serves classic entrees and sides, including grilled Halal chicken, French fries, and allergen-conscious burgers.

Requesting Food from Backup

To reduce the risk of cross-contact in self-service or buffet areas, guests with food allergies or dietary restrictions are encouraged to ask for food from a backup pan.

A backup pan is a fresh pan of food that has not yet been placed on the serving line and is less likely to be exposed to other allergens. Ask a team member or a Friendly Fork expert on duty to let them know which item you’d like to be served from a backup pan.

Special Diet Meals

In certain situations, menu items may need to be prepared individually to meet students' dietary needs. Please contact our Registered Dietitian to review your diet prescription plan. If a student needs a specially prepared meal, they may email vailchefs@davidson.edu 24 hours in advance of the desired meal.