AVI’s Fresh Take: Students React to Dining Changes
Javier Vela ‘25
Barbara Walters Campus Center Dining Room, Photo Courtesy of Sarah Lawrence College
AVI Fresh, Sarah Lawrence’s dining service provider, has faced persistent criticism from students over the years. The college currently ranks 7th worst in the nation for dining quality, according to the 2025 edition of The Princeton Review. In response to mounting student dissatisfaction, AVI has implemented changes this school year, including new menu specials and surveys conducted to improve the dining experience.
“This year, with Barb especially, there seems to be a lot more effort, and I find myself going there more than Bates, not just out of convenience, but because of all of the specials that Barb does this year,” said Nick Fellner ‘25. He added, “from days with chicken tacos, to pad thai, and breakfast food for dinner – these are just a few examples of what they’ve been doing, but everyday there's a new surprise.” These specials are one of the most notable changes that has received a positive reaction from students.
Some of these new ‘specials’ have become fan favorites among SLC students, like Alice Summit ‘25, who hopes to see them become staples. “I think it would be nice if they had impossible burgers consistently available at the grill station of Barb. I also really like when they have Indian or Thai food, so it would be great if that could become a more regular option,” Summit said.
While gauging on the student response to these changes, Dean of Students, Dave Stanfield, reflected positively. “I've received significant positive feedback from students regarding the dining changes this semester, much of which has been unsolicited,” Stanfield said. “It’s clear to me that AVI is not only listening to student feedback but also taking meaningful steps to address their needs.”
While AVI has made significant progress towards improving the dining experience, students like Summit believe that AVI could be doing even more. “The unfortunate thing about the dining options at Barb is the unnecessary amount of disposable plastic. It would be great if AVI and the school could work to implement some kind of sustainability incentive system, like taking a dollar off of the price for coffee whenever you bring your own cup,” Summit said.
Disposable plastic bags and cups are used constantly in the dining experience at Sarah Lawrence, sometimes dampening otherwise positive inclusions. The new drink options, for example, are free – however, if a student wishes to take more than the allocated amount served in a plastic or styrofoam cup, and elect to use their own cup or one of the larger paper drink cups provided for a meal swipe, they have to pay with meal money.
Small changes have gone a long way in restoring a more positive image of AVI in the eyes of the student body, and special food options have enhanced the dining experience and given more variety to the options available. However, students still believe that positive strides could be made to further enhance the dining experience, prioritizing sustainability and the exclusion of disposable materials.
