Alrubaye, Division of DEI and Chartwells Partner to Provide Diverse Food Options

Photo Submitted

Adnan Alrubaye, assistant professor of poultry microbiology and the associate director of the Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program

Campus partners have come together to release an official Vegetarian, Vegan, & Halal Dining Guide for campus community members with cultural, religious and ethical dietary restrictions. It can be found at dineoncampus.com/razorbacks under the "wellness & sustainability" tab, listed as "Vegetarian, Vegan, & Halal Dining."  

The dining guide serves several purposes. First, it defines key dietary identities — flexitarian, pescatarian, lacto-ovo vegetarian, lacto-vegetarian, vegan and halal — to help campus members communicate their specific dietary choices to chefs and event planners. It also provides menu lists organized by restaurant and dietary preference and tips on how to access campus meals. 

The guide is part of a larger initiative that recognizes food's importance in creating a more diverse, inclusive and equitable campus environment. Adnan Alrubaye, an assistant professor of poultry microbiology, spearheads the effort with partners from across campus, including Chartwells and the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.  

Alrubaye first came to the U of A in 2008 as an international graduate student from Iraq and found few options for his strictly halal diet. "I'm Muslim; I eat halal meat, which was not an option," Alrubaye stated. "So, I started claiming I'm vegetarian. But whenever you say, 'I'm vegetarian,' some may offer only salad-based options."  

Working with the initiative's Halal Committee, Chartwells learned that many campus members were forced to eat vegan or vegetarian due to the lack of options here and in Northwest Arkansas. "In addition to expanding our halal menu across campus, we've included halal options in the vegan and vegetarian guide to demonstrate the variety of options guests have and where to access them," stated Kenzie Cvar, director of marketing and guest experience at UA-Chartwells. 

Food is key to nutrition and experiencing a sense of belonging. Now a faculty member, Alrubaye is committed to helping campus members of all backgrounds access menu options that contribute to their health and overall wellbeing. "My consistent message is 'This is my home.' And it is a home for everyone who lives and works here. I want to make this home better for everyone, and we'll keep working to make that happen."  

In addition to the vegan, vegetarian and halal dining guides, the diverse food initiative also comprises efforts to host rotating menus that celebrate diverse cultures and dietary preferences and avoid practices such as using the same serving utensil for different dishes.