MOORHEAD— In the past few weeks, the Maize and Corn Crib has been slowly rolling out price increases for items for student purchasing.
A notable product increase is the popular sparkling water, Bubblr, which began the year at the price of $1.89. One can now costs $2.39, a $0.50 price increase.
“Price increases are based on increases in cost of goods and other expenses,” said William Fradet, assistant director of Concordia Dining Services, “which are forwarded onto our guests through price increases.”
The other expenses, according to Fradet, include labor costs, services offered, supplies used, equipment needed and the overhead utilities cost.
He said that there are a few price increases, but they are minimal. Most increases were under $1.00, with some items even decreasing in price.
A bowl of soup at the Maize used to be $2.47. It is now $1.35, a $1.12 decrease. The grilled chicken sandwich also experienced a price decrease of $0.30.
When it comes to premade snacks and drinks, there has been a steady increase in pricing, comparing prices with nearby retailers.
“Our goal is to compare to three retailers with close proximity to campus serving a similar product with the same type of service we have,” Fradet said.
The nearby retailers, according to Fradet, include Starbucks, Burger King, McDonald’s, Brady’s, M&H, Third Drop Coffee, Erbert’s and Gerbert’s, Jimmy John’s, among others.
The items most impacted by price increases were ground beef, crispy chicken, French fries and deli meats, according to Fradet.
Though there have been noticeable price increases, each meal plan has received an increase in dining dollars. Although, meal plan pricing did increase for the 2024-25 school year.
“Meal plan prices increased for the same reasons as retail prices,” Fradet said.
With the increase in prices, questions remain about the increase in quality of food provided by Dining Services, especially regarding dietary restrictions.
According to the Dining Services FAQ’s, one with an allergy or intolerance must fill out a “dietary modification verification form”, that they must get signed by a licensed physician. That form then must be sent to the Center for Holistic Health (CHH) to have it verified as a medical need through Disability Services. Then, one with restrictions must meet with a registered dietician for a consultation and to explain the resources available.
This process can take a minimum of a week to complete through all the steps but can take much longer. This can also be a barrier to access for food that students need if they are not able to visit a doctor or cannot receive a proper diagnosis.
For those who are not diagnosed or do not have documentation of a medical condition, Dining Services offer educational courses, NetNutrition, and menu varieties.
“The Dining Services menu committee ensures that an abundance of choices are offered throughout all locations,” the website states.
Concordia Dining Services, however, is always trying to learn innovative ideas and menu items that make their menu more diverse.
“We are always testing new recipes, evaluating possible menu concepts, and researching new products that our students and other customers will enjoy, including new things that can make the dining experience more inclusive,” Fradet said.
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