Issue Date: 10/8/07
Students agitated over quality, price of food on campus
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Many Palomar students agree that the the college's cafeteria has long lines, little variation in meal choice and overpriced items.
"It not priced for students," said Jayne Dunn, a Palomar student.
Dunn and her daughter, Lauren, who also attends Palomar College, frequently eat at the cafeteria. But they both agree Palomar has a few problems that need fixing.
"They have the worst coffee I have ever tasted," Dunn said.
She isn't the only one who doesn't like the campus food quality.
"I would rather not eat food at all, than eat food the cafeteria sells," said David Allen, a Palomar student.
Allen said he's been eating off-campus for over a year, because of his distaste for on-campus food. He said he buys hamburgers off-campus for a $1, when at Grill Works it costs $2.95.
"We are working on improving service in all aspects of food service," said Diane Lach, manager of the Food Court, in an email. "We recognize a need for more variety and increased speed of service."
With the cost for textbooks on campus and other necessities, Dunn said the food should be discounted for the students.
Palomar College has a contract with Aramark that grants them exclusive rights to sell food at whatever price they deem appropriate.
Due to the contract Aramark can charge whatever price they want, free from competition. Since Jan. 2007, the Coca-Cola Company has made a similar deal with selling beverages.
"I would like to drop kick the managers of the cafeteria for taking advantage of the students," Allen said. "The prices would probably go down if Palomar didn't take a percent of the profits the sellers make."
Dunn said she didn't think things would change unless the current company was fired and the government helped pay for the food with tax dollars.
She also feels strongly about a lack of healthier food choices, as well as vegetarian options.
A former employee of the cafeteria, who chose to remain nameless, said the reason the service was lax was because of the employees.
"They hire slow people and the computers are always breaking down," the employee said.
"Prices keep inflating and the food gets worse… I never liked the fact that last year you could buy a pepperoni pizza for $ 2.50 and a sausage pizza for $ 2.50 but if you wanted half pep and half sausage it is suddenly cost $ 2.75.... I mean where did the extra quarter go?"
Dunn said she didn't mind that Palomar College sold the rights to sell food to a company, but wishes that Palomar would have negotiated lower prices in the deal.
"Next time Palomar goes to the bargaining table, they should keep students in mind," Dunn said.
"It not priced for students," said Jayne Dunn, a Palomar student.
Dunn and her daughter, Lauren, who also attends Palomar College, frequently eat at the cafeteria. But they both agree Palomar has a few problems that need fixing.
"They have the worst coffee I have ever tasted," Dunn said.
She isn't the only one who doesn't like the campus food quality.
"I would rather not eat food at all, than eat food the cafeteria sells," said David Allen, a Palomar student.
Allen said he's been eating off-campus for over a year, because of his distaste for on-campus food. He said he buys hamburgers off-campus for a $1, when at Grill Works it costs $2.95.
"We are working on improving service in all aspects of food service," said Diane Lach, manager of the Food Court, in an email. "We recognize a need for more variety and increased speed of service."
With the cost for textbooks on campus and other necessities, Dunn said the food should be discounted for the students.
Palomar College has a contract with Aramark that grants them exclusive rights to sell food at whatever price they deem appropriate.
Due to the contract Aramark can charge whatever price they want, free from competition. Since Jan. 2007, the Coca-Cola Company has made a similar deal with selling beverages.
"I would like to drop kick the managers of the cafeteria for taking advantage of the students," Allen said. "The prices would probably go down if Palomar didn't take a percent of the profits the sellers make."
Dunn said she didn't think things would change unless the current company was fired and the government helped pay for the food with tax dollars.
She also feels strongly about a lack of healthier food choices, as well as vegetarian options.
A former employee of the cafeteria, who chose to remain nameless, said the reason the service was lax was because of the employees.
"They hire slow people and the computers are always breaking down," the employee said.
"Prices keep inflating and the food gets worse… I never liked the fact that last year you could buy a pepperoni pizza for $ 2.50 and a sausage pizza for $ 2.50 but if you wanted half pep and half sausage it is suddenly cost $ 2.75.... I mean where did the extra quarter go?"
Dunn said she didn't mind that Palomar College sold the rights to sell food to a company, but wishes that Palomar would have negotiated lower prices in the deal.
"Next time Palomar goes to the bargaining table, they should keep students in mind," Dunn said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
A Fly On the Wall
posted 10/08/07 @ 9:52 PM PST
totally agree with this viewpoint. once I got a cup of coffee from java city that tasted like gym socks had been soaking in luke warm water for a couple of days. (Continued…)
Corey Bruins
posted 10/16/07 @ 11:18 AM PST
A couple of points to make here...
First off: If you don't like it, don't eat it. I would say the majority of PC students eat off campus, we all have the option to do so and it's an affordable alternative to on-campus nastiness. (Continued…)
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