As students go to buy lunch between classes, this semester, some have realized that they are facing a problem of economic proportions. They are nearly out of money on their meal plan and must search out the least expensive food possible.
Polly Chan, a senior majoring in health science, thinks that the price of food on campus is too high.
“Sometimes I get meals from the campus court,” Chan said. “Prices have raised a bit since last year, I think.”
Students who live in non-cooking building are required to purchase meal plans unless they receive a waiver for religious dietary needs. Students who are required to purchase a meal plan and do not do so are automatically charged for a Silver Plan, according to the Campus Dining website.
Many students said they guess that they are running low on meal points because of high prices of food on campus.
Products and their potential prices must go through a process in order to change.
“When Campus Dining Services wants to offer a new product, they bring the product and the suggested price to the Meal Plan Resolutions Committee,” said David Conway, resident district manager for Campus Dining Services. “This committee then reviews the proposed pricing, relative to the food cost and labor necessary to make the product available, and determines if it is appropriate to offer the product on campus.”
The Meal Plan Resolutions Committee is responsible for improving students’ eating experience.
Several students sit on the committee and bring feedback from their friends. For example, students on the committee have commented that food quality is not as good at night because it is not made-to-order such as sushi and Mexican food. They have also mentioned that made-to-order stations have longer lines. In addition, the lines for food at night are longer because there are fewer options, such as Buenos Nachos.
According to Angela Agnello, the director of marketing and communications for the Faulty Student Association, there are other options, aside from made-to-order. Grab and Go sandwiches, which have a two-day expiration date, are available.
“Our commissary makes fresh sandwiches seven days a week because of the large volume that we sell,” Agnello said. Customers have the option of purchasing made-to-order sandwiches at [the] SAC Food Court, Kelly Dining Center and the Union Deli.”
Agnello also said that two-day old sandwiches that are not as fresh are still the same price as the sandwiches that are one-day old. The price will remain the same.
Stony Brook receives food from Lackmann Culinary Services in Woodbury, N.Y. Brands specific to Lackmann are Taro 13, Eco Cravings, Native Spice, Buckets, Picantes, Charcoals, Grab and Go (sandwiches and desserts) and Upick. These food services can also be found at local universities, like Adelphi University and Hofstra University.
Despite students’ disappointment regarding high prices of Grab and Go sandwiches, prices at Adelphi are usually higher – even though Stony Brook and Adelphi share the same food provider. As per the prices on Adelphi’s Dining Services website, Stony Brook has cheaper Roast Beef, Turkey and Ham and Cheese sandwiches.
Hofstra’s Dining Services page did not offer any prices and the director of dining services did not return messages for comment.
Lackmann Culinary Services is affiliated with Compass Group North America. Chartwells, the food providers at State University of New York at Buffalo State is also affiliated with Compass Group.
In comparison, Stony Brook has more expensive Caesar, Chicken Caesar, Chef’s and Greek salads. While the average price of these salads at Buffalo State is $4.24, the average salad at Stony Brook is $5.59.
Stony Brook students are trying to find a way to not spend as much money on food.
