Many AU students who frequently visit the Eagle's Nest have noticed the addition of more organic food, a change that "offers students alternatives," said Adalberto Silva, manager of the Eagle's Nest.
Organic counterparts to popular products like Kraft Macaroni and Cheese and Lays potato chips now sit on the shelves next to one another.
According to Silva, the Eagle's Nest is offering organic, vegan and vegetarian alternatives to students after requests for about a year to add such choices.
"Students were very vocal about adding healthier items," Silva said. "We're not looking to cut brand names or turn the Eagle's Nest into a completely organic store."
Along with the new inventory, Eagle's Nest is changing its layout. Yvonne Matteson, resident district manager of Bon Appetit, AU's dining service, said it will take approximately one-and-a-half to two weeks to install new racks and rearrange food.
Silva said some students are under the assumption that the store will undergo a complete change.
"That is not true - we will still have things like Tide detergent, but we will offer alternatives as well," he said.
Matteson said she has noticed the negative reaction to the new products.
"I think someone went into the Eagle's Nest and said 'Oh my God' and perceived what was going on as major changes," Matteson said. "We aren't looking to change customers' purchasing habits - we like to keep our convenience factor."
AU students have varied opinions on the new food choices.
"If they want us to eat healthy, why don't they give us more fruits and vegetables?" said Kris Cruz, a sophomore in the School of International Service. "Being organic doesn't help if you still have to put it in the microwave for five minutes."
Danielle Imhoff, a junior in SIS, said she believes that it is good to have more choices.
"College campuses usually have more students aware of what is friendly to the environment, so it's good to have more organic options," she said.
According to both Matteson and Silva, the Eagle's Nest has received complaints from students about the changes, but business has remained steady. Matteson said the store is just bringing different food to the forefront and allowing for a balance of both types.
Some AU students don't agree with the changes.
"If they want to get with it, they'd better lower their prices," said Chris Armstrong, a junior in the School of Public Affairs. "It's ridiculous that two miles down the road you can get the same thing for a lower price. They think just because people don't have cars that they can jack up the prices."
Sommer Altland, a sophomore in the Kogod School of Business, said she thinks some of the changes are good.
"However, we still need a place on campus with cheaper food that we can afford and food that we'd eat for a regular snack and is not super healthy," she said.
