Chartwells at California State University, Stanislaus is adding gluten free options to their menu.
Today, students and faculty have the ability to order four different kinds of gluten free breads. Among these include: white, Tuscan olive and sun-dried tomato, apple cinnamon coffee cake, and banana nut. 
“I’d like to set it up to where students can come in, place an order for those things, and then buy them from us,” said Chartwells’ Executive Chef Connie Bearden. “They just have to let us know what they want, and we’ll sell it to them.”
Chef Bearden explains the bread is baked in an inclusive, special machine first thing in the morning to ensure no cross-contamination with wheat. Students can order a loaf of bread from an associate in Main Dining and it will be ready for the next school day. Loaves are $6.99 each. 
Many more products are also in the works for students and faculty who follow the gluten free diet. In early April, Chartwells will be switching out many of their Kraft products to other brands that offer gluten free options. Among these include Wishbone dressings and Best Foods mayonnaise. 
Cheddar and rye gluten free breads as well as a gluten free tortilla will also be available at Chartwells in the near future. Customers that purchase the gluten free breads will have the ability to make sandwiches at Sub Generation in Main Dining. 
Students that are challenged with the restrictive diet express excitement about the new food options. 
“It would be amazing having gluten free foods on campus.” said Michelle Peoples (senior, Communication Studies). “I buy food from The Warrior Grill almost every day. It’s hard to stand at the counter by all of the baked goods knowing I can’t eat them.”
In addition, Chef Bearden and Chartwells’ Chef Valerie are currently developing gluten free desserts. 
“We’ve been doing crazy, crazy, crazy stuff… very fattening and full of butter,” Bearden said.
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barely, rye, and malt. Those who follow the diet can have Celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder, or suffer from gluten allergies. Either way, ingesting gluten causes multiple gastrointestinal and neurological effects that can be detrimental to their health. 
Chartwells offers menu options per client request.