Students voice concerns over change in clamshell size

The new clamshells with a flat top. Photo by Alex Stanger.

After a recent change in the size of the reusable “clamshell” containers that Bon Appétit provides for students to take food out of Andrew Commons, several students have voiced concerns over the change. The new clamshells are half the size of the previous clamshells.  

Sophomore Alex Stanger, who was sick when the change was made, is frustrated by the size of the new clamshells.  

1- The previous clamshells that have been used for years. The model has a raised top. Photo by Alex Stanger.

“It’s kind of frustrating to go from all I can eat while healthy to a [pretty] small amount, especially when I’m sick,” Stanger said.  

“I hate them, I hate them so much,” said junior Spencer Brown. “They’ve reduced the volume so much. I can’t put cake in the little cubby holes anymore without the frosting getting everywhere.”  

Sophomore Jeffrey Vonderschmidt doesn’t feel that the new clamshells are fair for people who can only afford two meals a day. 

“As someone who can only afford the two-meals-a-day plan, I can’t miss a meal, though my schedule makes that difficult, so sometimes I need to use the clamshell. Without enough room, I don’t get a proper meal and end up going hungry instead,” said Vonderschmidt.  

The new clamshells with a flat top. Photo by Alex Stanger.

First-Year Gilliana Hope pointed out that busy Lawrence students likely don’t have the time or energy to take on a big company like Bon Appétit.  

Bon Appétit General Manager for Lawrence University Jeff Lee said that the bigger clamshells are no longer made, and management at Lawrence did not make the decision to halve the clamshells.