Aaron Akaberi contacted Sodexho on Aug. 10 to alert them to his decision to adopt a strict interpretation of Ital, the Rastafarian diet. Here’s a look at the conerns Akaberi has voiced over his meal plan, and at how Sodexho officials say they’ve responded.

— “A 100 percent organic lacto-ovo vegetarian diet”

Akaberi says: with the exception of dairy products and eggs, the Ital diet is vegetarian and only permits food that adheres to strict organic standards — that is, excluding the use of preservatives, fertilizers, pesticides and genetically modified food. Akaberi said that many of the organic products Sodexho presented him were not USDA-approved organic

Sodexho says: The campus dietitian is ready and willing to make thrice-weekly shopping trips to procure “the freshest organic items available” from stores like Wegmans, whose organic section serves thousands of shoppers, and has the corner on that market in this area. Sodexho and Akaberi both told Pipe Dream that he is unwilling make the trip with a dietician to determine which foods were acceptable: “To an extent, I’m a practical person … But the flexibility they demanded of me is unfair.”

— “Specially selected cookware and serviceware”

Akaberi says: The Ital diet guidelines specify that food not be prepared with metal utensils or cookware.

Sodexho says: They’re willing to comply with this request, saying the equipment was to be “procured on his behalf.”

— “Customized meal cycle conforming to … religious needs”

Akaberi says: He would likely be forced to regiment his days, since the special equipment would be located on one particular dining location. He would have to at least partially plan his meal schedule in advance, and this would be impractical and inconvenient.

Sodexho says: They suggested housing the equipment in the Appalachian Collegiate Center because of Akaberi’s “special bond with Mountainview.” They also said that the regimenting of his schedule would likely be temporary, as they make accommodations with students of similarly restrictive dietary needs. Akaberi told Pipe Dream that he was uncomfortable with having to limit his movements around campus because of that course of action.