2008 Woodie Awards
Campus food prices higher than in winter
Yujin Yoshimura
Issue date: 4/28/08 Section: News
Food prices in the Hinson Campus Center have been increased by up to half a dollar this quarter, depending on the item purchased.
"What's happening is that all of the commodities have had [their prices] increased," said Campus Center Food Services Director Patrick Gannon. "Biodegradable [utensils and food containers] are dependent on corn. Now there is a shortage of corn, so all the corn product prices go up."
This is not limited to corn, but also includes commodities such as wheat and soy beans. "The wheat [price has] gone up and a guy makes the flour, makes the dough, makes the bread. I get the bread, and all the sudden, whoa! ... Oh God! [The price] is shocking," Gannon said.
If the cafeteria did not increase its food prices, the Campus Center funds would have been depleted.
"I feel terrible, but what I have done is I tried to keep certain things in the cafeteria the same, so somebody can always get a meal for under $5," Gannon said. "I don't have to make a profit, but I have to break even. If ever we do make a profit, it will be put back into the Campus Center."
Gannon also cares about food quality, he said. "That is the difference between me, working for De Anza, and the [food services] contract company on the outside. They don't care. I have the power to care."
Gannon has no plan to bring fast food into Cafeteria at this point.
"We're doing 2,300 people through here everyday," he said, and their health is paramount.
There has been confusion among students who are used to the previous prices, though.
"[I'm receiving] many complaints," said Yuka Hayashibara, a cashier in the cafeteria. "Some customers bring the exact amount for the food prices last quarter, and when I ring them up they figure out that they don't have enough money."
Hayashibara also said some customers return the food they attempted to purchase after they ask the price.
"Some students says it's expensive ... I have been asked by some students saying 'please give me student discounts.' I explain to them that all the students have discounts factored into the price for the tax already."
There are no plans at this time to further increase the food prices.
Yujin Yoshimura is a freelance reporter for La Voz.
"What's happening is that all of the commodities have had [their prices] increased," said Campus Center Food Services Director Patrick Gannon. "Biodegradable [utensils and food containers] are dependent on corn. Now there is a shortage of corn, so all the corn product prices go up."
This is not limited to corn, but also includes commodities such as wheat and soy beans. "The wheat [price has] gone up and a guy makes the flour, makes the dough, makes the bread. I get the bread, and all the sudden, whoa! ... Oh God! [The price] is shocking," Gannon said.
If the cafeteria did not increase its food prices, the Campus Center funds would have been depleted.
"I feel terrible, but what I have done is I tried to keep certain things in the cafeteria the same, so somebody can always get a meal for under $5," Gannon said. "I don't have to make a profit, but I have to break even. If ever we do make a profit, it will be put back into the Campus Center."
Gannon also cares about food quality, he said. "That is the difference between me, working for De Anza, and the [food services] contract company on the outside. They don't care. I have the power to care."
Gannon has no plan to bring fast food into Cafeteria at this point.
"We're doing 2,300 people through here everyday," he said, and their health is paramount.
There has been confusion among students who are used to the previous prices, though.
"[I'm receiving] many complaints," said Yuka Hayashibara, a cashier in the cafeteria. "Some customers bring the exact amount for the food prices last quarter, and when I ring them up they figure out that they don't have enough money."
Hayashibara also said some customers return the food they attempted to purchase after they ask the price.
"Some students says it's expensive ... I have been asked by some students saying 'please give me student discounts.' I explain to them that all the students have discounts factored into the price for the tax already."
There are no plans at this time to further increase the food prices.
Yujin Yoshimura is a freelance reporter for La Voz.
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