The Meal Exchange Program is a meal a resident can use from their dining plan at:
- Flamingo Run (at Four Lakes, Gordon Avenue, & Rheta’s Markets)
- The Bean & Creamery (at Four Lakes Market)
- Southeast Café (at Gordon Avenue Market)
- Shake Smart (at Bakke Recreation & Wellness Center)
- Babcock Dairy Store
- Wisconsin Union Locations
for a set combination of items or a $5 Credit that counts as a meal swipe.
The number of meal exchanges allowed per week will depend on your selected dining plan (2/week for Go10, 4/week for Go14, and 6/week for GoUnlimited).
NOTE
- One meal exchange is allowed per day
- Only redeemable in the Housing Dining, Babcock, and Union locations listed
- Not redeemable at Starbucks in Smith Residence Hall
Housing Locations
Flamingo Run
- Meat or Vegetarian Entrée Fountain Beverage
Fired Up
- Meat or Vegetarian Sandwich with One Side & Fountain Beverage
Grab&Go
- Deli Sandwich, Entrée Salad, or Entrée with One Side & Fountain Beverage
- Frozen, Cooler, or Packaged Entrée with One Side & Fountain Beverage
- Fuji San Sushi & Fountain Beverage
- Adamah Entrée & Fountain Beverage
The Bean and Creamery
- Breakfast Sandwich, Coffee or Tea, & One Side
- Breakfast Pastry, Coffee or Tea, & One Side
- Açaí Bowl, Coffee or Tea
Shake Smart
Choose an item from (a)
-
- regular size shake*
- make it a bowl
- scooped bowl
- blended bowl
Choose an item from (b)
-
- peanut butter sandwich
- almond butter sandwich
- aquafina
- gatorade
*regular size shake includes milk & protein of choice!
Southeast Café
- Sandwich & Fruit
- Smoothie
- Açaí Bowl
Other Campus Locations
Babcock Dairy Store & Wisconsin Union Locations
Students can use a meal swipe at Babcock or Union locations (Memorial Union, Union South, Badger Markets, and other Union-owned markets and cafés across campus).
- Each meal exchange will equal a $5 credit toward any food purchase (if the purchase amount total is more than $5, residents can pay the remainder with Dining Dollars, their Wiscard account, or credit/debit card).
- Meal Exchange at Babcock and Wisconsin Union locations can only be used for food items, including prepared foods, packages items, and non-alcoholic beverages.
- Residents who want to use a meal exchange at a Babcock or Wisconsin Union location, they should tell the cashier BEFORE swiping their Wiscard so that the cashier can select the correct payment options.
FAQs
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What are meal exchanges?
Meal exchanges are part of Housing’s resident dining plans, through which you can swipe to purchase a meal at select Housing locations or $5 worth of food and non-alcohol beverages at Babcock Dairy Store or Wisconsin Union dining locations. Meal exchanges count toward your weekly meal count. You can use a certain number of meal exchanges per week based on your selected dining plan (2/week for Go10, 4/week for Go14, and 6/week for GoUnlimited).
How do I use the meal exchange at Babcock Dairy Store and Wisconsin Union dining locations?
Before making your purchase, tell the cashier you would like to pay using your resident dining plan meal exchange.
What locations are eligible for this $5 meal exchange credit?
Meal exchanges can be used for a $5 credit at the Babcock Dairy Store and all Wisconsin Union locations, which includes Memorial Union, Union South, Badger Markets, and other Union-owned markets and cafes across campus.
What items are eligible for meal exchanges?
Meal exchanges at Wisconsin Union locations and the Babcock Dairy Store can only be used for food items, including prepared foods, packaged items, and non-alcoholic beverages. Non-food items such as school supplies, clothing, technology, and personal care products are not eligible. Meal exchanges cannot be used for alcohol.
Are there any limits on when meal exchanges can be used?
- Only one meal exchange is allowed per day across all participating campus locations during each location’s hours of operation.
- The number of meal exchanges per week depends on the resident’s selected dining plan.
- If you have already used a meal exchange that day or have used up your allotted meal exchanges for that week, please use another form of payment, such as Dining Dollars, Wiscard, credit, or cash. Please note that cash is not accepted in Housing dining locations or Harvest Grains.
What happens if my purchase is more or less than $5?
If a meal exchange is used for a food purchase that totals more than $5, it will deduct one meal from the dining plan, and then you can use another form of payment (Dining Dollars, Wiscard account, cash, credit/debit card) to pay the difference. If the purchase total is less than $5, it will deduct one meal from the dining plan.
If I’m just getting one small food item at a Union location or Babcock, is that a whole meal swipe?
You are welcome to use a meal exchange for as little as one item, such as a bottled beverage or piece of fruit, if you would like. However, it may be advisable to use a different form of payment (Dining Dollars, Wiscard account, cash, or credit/debit card) rather than use a meal swipe on purchases totaling less than $5.
Can I still use Dining Dollars or Wiscard funds for food at Union locations and Babcock?
Yes, Dining Dollars and Wiscard account funds can still be used for food and beverage purchases at Wisconsin Union locations or the Babcock Dairy Store (Dining dollars cannot be used for alcohol.). Any food and non-alcohol purchases with these payment methods receive a 5% discount and are not charged sales tax. You can also choose to pay with cash or a credit/debit card, but those purchases will be charged sales tax and do not receive the Wiscard and Dining Dollars discount. You can deposit money online to the Wiscard account at any time.
Why is it a $5 credit at Babcock and Union locations instead of a full meal?
Food at the Babcock Dairy Store and Wisconsin Union locations is a la carte (pay per item), which is a different type of service than the all-you-care-to-eat meals at Housing’s dining markets. The $5 meal exchange credit at these locations offers flexibility in how you use your dining plan there.
Why are meal exchanges at Flamingo Run still for specific items instead of a $5 credit?
This meal exchange offer at Union locations and Babcock is meant to add options for our residents and not disrupt our current dining plan offerings. We continue to offer the current meal exchange menu in Housing locations with set combinations of items that can replace a traditional meal. Some residents already have dietary plans designed to fit specific nutritional needs based on this menu.
If I accidentally use another payment method but meant to use a meal exchange, can I get a refund and switch to a meal exchange after the transaction?
No, once the transaction is complete, the cashier will not be able to go back and refund a meal exchange.
Who should I contact if I have nutrition questions about eating at Union locations or Babcock?
Please continue to work with Housing’s registered dietitian for any questions or concerns related to nutrition and dietary needs.