Hello friends, family, students, and staff of UW-Eau Claire!

Sodexo has been the main supplier and distributer for all food related places on campus since 2002. There has been a sharp decline in the quality of the food since COVID-19, and has also resulted in the closure of many loved food places on campus. Although they have given several opportunities for students to share their feedback, the feedback is either a) not implemented at all; or b) not to the standards in which we expect. There are many students on campus that require dietary alterations due to allergies/intolerances. They have an Allergy Room that those students can access, however there has been no variety since 2020. Eating the same low/moderate quality food every day is not ideal, especially to maintain the nutritional needs of our bodies.

According to SourceWatch.org, “Sodexo has a lengthy record of paying workers poverty wages, overcharging clients, opposing unions, and violating food and safety standards.” There are plenty of photo evidence of hair in food, uncooked food, and overcharging students for that food. It has become a standard, and that’s not ok. Sodexo was given several chances to fix the quality and safety of their food to no avail. 

Next semester, they plan to raise the prices of their meal plans for student. All freshman students and students who live in the residence halls are REQUIRED to purchase a meal plan through Sodexo. With the low quality food that they serve and the limited options available to students, we demand change. None of the suggestions or feedback is being implemented and the quality continues to decline. 

There are student Dining Representers who take feedback and take it directly to the management and chefs at UW-Eau Claire. None of the feedback has been implemented so far.

Many universities in the UW system either have their dining system in house or contract out locally. We want Subway, Taco Bell, anything! Bring back the Jamba Juice and the coffee shop that Sodexo shut down! We need to learn from accredited universities about what they’re doing RIGHT with their dining. Happy Students = Higher Retention Rates = More Revenue for the University.

Here is a story by WordPress on these issues as well, but related to the premium prices they set for any food on campus: https://insideec.wordpress.com/2015/03/04/sodexo-benefits-from-students/

According to Chancellor James Schmidt, the University is able to cancel the contract with Sodexo at any time. And now is that time. For years we have been asking for change and it has never prevailed. KICK SODEXO TO THE CURB!

Sign this petition to show UW-Eau Claire Administration that Sodexo is not a good fit for our school. Thank you!