At Lawrence University, we believe dining together can help foster a sense of community, and that it's an important part of our residential education experience.

Meal plans encourage and support communal dining while offering flexibility to meet your individual needs. You are required to purchase a meal plan if you live on campus.  

Meal Plans

Each meal plan is made up of:

  • Meal Swipes - One swipe equals one meal. Refreshes weekly after Tuesday night dinner.
  • Culinary Cash - Works like cash. Good for the entire term. What's not spent does not get rolled over to the next term.

Meal plans do not include Viking Gold (LU's tender), but Viking Gold can be used to purchase meals in Andrew Commons. Learn more below about the difference between Viking Gold and Culinary Cash.

Students who do not select a meal plan by the deadline will have the default meal plan added (19 meal a week plan).

Students may change their meal plans through the second Tuesday of classes at 12:00pm for that term.

Types of Meal Plans and Per-Term Rates

Standard Meal Plans

2025–26

2026–27

Option One: 19 Meal Swipes + $125 Culinary Cash
Default plan unless students request Option Two or Three. Best if students plan to eat most meals in Andrew Commons, and for those with dietary restrictions or food allergies.

$2,106

$2,264

Option Two: 14 Meal Swipes + $250 Culinary Cash
This meal plan represents the best value for most students who choose to eat two meals per day in Andrew Commons.

$2,044

$2,194

Option Three: 9 Meal Swipes + $350 Culinary Cash
Best option if students cannot make it to Andrew Commons during regular meal service hours, or plan to eat most of their meals in The Cafè. This plan provides an approximate equivalent of one meal per day in Andrew Commons.

$2,030

$2,182

Fox Commons Meal Plans

2025–26

2026–27

5 Meal Swipes + $150 Culinary Cash
If you live in Fox Commons, most of your meals will be made in your apartment; so this meal plan covers your lunches between classes and dining with friends in The Cafè.

$1,050

$1,129

Group House Meal Plan

2025–26

2026–27

5 Meal Swipes + $150 Culinary Cash + $681 on the group card
If you live in a group house that offers a split meal plan, a portion of your fee goes to your house for group dining. The balance goes towards meal swipes and Culinary Cash.

$2,044

$2,194

Have special dietary needs?

Contact Kelly Noel, ADC Resident District Manager, (920) 666-4291, knoel@afvusa.com.

Using Meal Plans and Viking Gold

Pick your meal plan using Voyager. All charges (Meal swipe counts, Culinary Cash, and Viking Gold) will appear on your student account statement.

Viking Gold v. Culinary Cash

Viking Gold

Viking Gold can be used for food and other purchases on campus, including LU clothing, postage, and laundry. Add Viking Gold to your account through Voyager. Viking Gold is good for your entire time at Lawrence.

Culinary Cash

Culinary Cash is not the same as Viking Gold. Culinary Cash is good for the term only and is limited to food purchases. It does not roll over from one academic year to the next and can only be used while classes are in session.

Where to use Meal Plans and Viking Gold

Andrew Commons

Meal swipes and Viking Gold can be used in Andrew Commons. You can eat as much as you want while in the facility. Food is available for take-out using a swipe. Greenware containers are provided and encouraged for take-out. Turn in a greenware container and get a clean one at your next swipe. 

Kaplan's Café

The Café accepts Culinary Cash, Viking Gold, or a credit card. Mobile ordering for Café items is available on the Mobile Order app available Monday-Friday 3:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., and accepts Culinary Cash or Viking Gold. You may use 1 meal swipe a day for Lunch or Dinner.

Kate's Corner Store

Culinary Cash (for some items), Viking Gold, or a credit card can be used at Kate's Corner Store.  

About American Dining Creations

American Dining Creation's started as a food services company in the 1940s in Ithaca, New York. Today, they are in the top 20 food service companies in the United States, building a reputation for quality and integrity. To learn more about American Dining Creations, please visit their website.