Custom Meal Ordering

If a student’s documented needs cannot be met through the inclusive options available through Dining Services, a student may be granted access to Custom Meal Ordering as another accommodation option. This service allows students to place an order for a specific meal that will be prepared specially for the student. Since many of these preparations can take time, students are required to order their meal in advance. 

  • Breakfast or Lunch: send request in the night before or by 6am the day of; 
  • Dinner: send request in by noon the day of. 
  • If preferred, multiple meal orders can be requested days in advance. 
  • Dining hall hours can change based on time of year and other conditions such as curtailed operations. Please check location hours prior to placing your order. 

Advanced notice is necessary to allow for appropriate cleaning and sanitation, food preparation time, and appropriate meal serving. 

Key Things to Know

  • Custom meals must be requested in advance (Breakfast or Lunch: send in request the night before or by 6am the day of; Dinner: send in request by noon the day of). This time is necessary for the chef to prepare the ingredients and cook the meal in a way that safely meets all criteria of the accommodation based on documented needs. 
  • Students should make all efforts to pick up their meal at the scheduled time. 
  • Students who would like additional meal options should contact the UNH Hospitality Services Dietician. 
  • Access to Custom Meal Ordering may be granted at the discretion of UNH Dining and the UNH Hospitality Services Dietician. 

Student Responsibilities

Students are responsible for…

  • Meeting all student accommodation responsibilities. 
  • When completing the form: 
    • Identifying all relevant allergen restrictions 
    • Identifying the date, time, and location of the requested meal pick-up 
  • Arriving to pick up the meal at the specified time. 
  • Canceling any orders as soon as possible. 
  • Discussing any necessary changes or making any requests related to additional options with the UNH Hospitality Services Dietician. 

Custom Meal Ordering Process

  1. Student is approved for access to Custom Meal Ordering by SAS - Students are required to meet with SAS to discuss accommodations. All students proceed through the three-step accommodation process. During that process the student and SAS will discuss whether Custom Meal Ordering is a reasonable accommodation. 
  2. SAS communicates this approval to the UNH Hospitality Service Dietician – If approved, SAS will communicate the approval to Dining and the UNH Hospitality Services Dietician. 
  3. Student reaches out to the UNH Hospitality Services Dietician to discuss how to utilize Custom Meal Ordering – Once the accommodation is approved, and the student is notified, the student should reach out to the UNH Hospitality Services Dietician to discuss how to best utilize this accommodation. Students utilize this accommodation in a variety of ways depending on their specific needs, their schedule, the options available, and their ability to use the standard options. The UNH Hospitality Services Dietician can help the student navigate these options. 
  4. When a custom meal is required: 
    1. To order a meal in advance, the student completes the Custom Meal Order Form (specific guidance is shared by the UNH Hospitality Services Dietician upon approval). Multiple meals may be requested in advance.   
    2. Once the order is submitted it will be emailed to the chefs, managers, and supervisors of the selected dining hall. Your order will be scheduled according to the timing of your requested pick-up time. 
    3. If there are any questions about your order, a staff member will reach out to you based on your provided contact information. 
    4. If you have questions, or need to cancel an order that has been placed, please call the dining hall where you scheduled your pick-up: 
      1. Holloway Commons 603-862-0710
      2. Philbrook Dining Hall 603-862-9331 
    5. For meal pick up, arrive at the dining hall at the scheduled pick-up time and ask at the reception stand which station you should pick the meal up from. Please note that while meals are generally available for pick-up up to two hours after the scheduled time, Dining cannot guarantee meals will be available for pick-up beyond that period. 

Common Questions

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Yes. All the inclusive dining options are still available for students. 

No. There is not a specific limit. 

No. Only students approved for the accommodation can utilize the service.