Bite #13: Food and Beverage Hospitality - Catering to Medical and Cultural Dietary Needs
Artists depend on backstage spaces for rest and recovery, especially when gruelling touring schedules come into play.
Offering healthy and inclusive food and drink options should not be considered a courtesy, but an essential practice. Long days on the road coupled with late nights can be emotionally and physically taxing, and specific dietary or medical needs add another layer of complexity.
It always helps to understand cultural differences to provide the best support to musicians and artists regardless of race, origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, social class, economic situation, and/or disability.
Cultures and food traditions can influence:
It is best not to assume that your past experiences with a person from a particular culture can be applied to everyone from that culture. Always communicate with the artist about their needs and how to accommodate them.
Some artists need accommodations for cultural, medical, or ethical reasons, like halal, vegan, kosher, or allergen-free diets.
Halal: Made, produced, manufactured, processed, and stored using machinery, equipment, and/or utensils that have been cleaned according to Islamic law (shariah). Pork and pork products like bacon, ham or pepperoni are not allowed.
Kosher: Food that is made, produced, manufactured, processed, and stored using machinery, equipment, and/or utensils that have been cleaned according to Jewish kosher law. Pork and pork products like bacon, ham or pepperoni are not allowed.
Vegetarian/Vegan: Meat and fish-free, with vegan options also avoiding dairy, eggs, and animal derived products, which may include honey.
Allergen-Free: Catering to dietary restrictions like nut-free, gluten-free, or dairy-free accommodates medical conditions like allergies or celiac disease
Offering healthy and inclusive food and drink options should not be considered a courtesy, but an essential practice. Long days on the road coupled with late nights can be emotionally and physically taxing, and specific dietary or medical needs add another layer of complexity.
It always helps to understand cultural differences to provide the best support to musicians and artists regardless of race, origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, social class, economic situation, and/or disability.
Cultures and food traditions can influence:
- How you eat
- What you eat
- When you eat
- Where you get food
- How you prepare food
It is best not to assume that your past experiences with a person from a particular culture can be applied to everyone from that culture. Always communicate with the artist about their needs and how to accommodate them.
Some artists need accommodations for cultural, medical, or ethical reasons, like halal, vegan, kosher, or allergen-free diets.
Halal: Made, produced, manufactured, processed, and stored using machinery, equipment, and/or utensils that have been cleaned according to Islamic law (shariah). Pork and pork products like bacon, ham or pepperoni are not allowed.
Kosher: Food that is made, produced, manufactured, processed, and stored using machinery, equipment, and/or utensils that have been cleaned according to Jewish kosher law. Pork and pork products like bacon, ham or pepperoni are not allowed.
Vegetarian/Vegan: Meat and fish-free, with vegan options also avoiding dairy, eggs, and animal derived products, which may include honey.
Allergen-Free: Catering to dietary restrictions like nut-free, gluten-free, or dairy-free accommodates medical conditions like allergies or celiac disease
Setting The Stage
A musician with a severe nut allergy feels lightheaded and dehydrated after a long set. They have only been offered drink tickets for beer and cocktails. The only snacks available are open bowls of popcorn and peanuts on the bar, which are at risk of cross-contamination.
Reflection
How can your venue offer backstage food and drink options that respect artists’ different dietary, cultural, and emergency needs?
Actions
Personalized Dietary Support
Emergency Preparedness
- Ask about dietary needs when booking an artist, include these questions in their rider.
- Create special areas for preparing food without allergen risks.
- Offer meal options like:
- Salad bars
- Build-your-own bowls
- Individual packaged meals
- Accessible Snack and Hydration Stations
- Put water stations in convenient locations like bathrooms and green rooms.
- Offer different drinks like sparkling water, electrolyte drinks, and caffeine-free tea.
- Provide snacks that can support different dietary needs:
- Gluten-free
- Nut-free
- Dairy-free
- Vegan
- Halal
- Kosher
- Clearly mark all food with allergen and diet information.
- Keep food service areas clean, and food at appropriate temperatures using coolers, fridges or buffet warmers.
- Have quick energy snacks like fresh fruit, trail mix, or protein bars.
Emergency Preparedness
- Keep helpful items close by like:
- Glucose tablets
- Juice boxes
- EpiPens
- Train staff to recognize the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction and to use an EpiPen correctly. Always call for emergency help.
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