SGA confronts Aramark

Members of the Student Government Association expressed concerns about the rising cost of food prices to MT Dining Services staff on Thursday.

MT Dining Services staff attended the weekly SGA meeting to promote a new online food-ordering program for students, and spent much of that time discussing Aramark food prices.

"I understand Aramark needs to make a profit," said Sen. Wesley Hall of the College of Business. "But when I can go to the gas station right across the street to buy an orange juice for a $1, and it costs $3 on campus for the exact same product, that's a 200 percent mark-up."

Many of the student representatives took the opportunity to discuss food prices and a few said they were frustrated with the quality as well. Several senators said that the average price of one meal cost roughly $10, and for many students that is too expensive.

"If there are creative ways to accommodate students' requests for lower prices, we need to look at those possibilities," said At-Large Sen. Drew Dunlop. He said combination meals were a step in the right direction.

John Tate, service director of MT Dining Services, said part of the reason that prices for some items may be higher on campus is because Aramark cannot always compete for the same or lower wholesale cost larger national chain stores are charged.

He said the brand-name food providers offer the same menus, and those prices are usually comparable, if not the same as regular retail prices. He said MT Dining Services works to keep the price and quality of food reasonable.

The MT Dining representatives asked why undergraduate students who do not live on campus are less likely to participate in MT Dining FlexBucks.

"Undergraduate students are not on campus nearly as much as freshmen," said Sen. Deonna Bounds of the College of Mass Communication. She said it is too big of a commitment to purchase FlexBucks or meal plans when many upper classmen are only on campus for a few days a week – often at odd hours when food is no longer served.

"We want to hear feedback from students," said Lindsey Burke, marketing manager for MT Dining Services.

Burke said students can e-mail MT Dining Services with questions or concerns. She said she wants to hear ideas from students.

Vice President of Administration and Public Affairs Sarah Ayache said she appreciated MT Dining Services help in providing hot dogs and drinks during student appreciation week, which was held Nov. 16-20.

"I know many students might not be aware of all of the good things that MT Dining staff does for students," Ayache said. "The SGA was able to provide more games and prizes because they provided the food for free."

Tate and members of his staff met with SGA officers and senators to promote the new ordering system for students, which allows students to pre-pay for food from the MT Dining Web site.

"If a student wants to order a meal before a class, they can order ahead of time and pick it up without having to wait," Tate said.

Tate said the program is designed to cut down on the time students spend waiting in long lines for food in between classes. Students who pre-pay for orders via the WebFood program will be able to enter a separate line from other students, and may eventually be able to order food from their dorm rooms for delivery.

"The WebFood program will eventually be available for the entire campus," Tate said. "Students will need to order their food at least 30 minutes prior to picking it up, so that it can be prepared by our staff."