CANTEEN PRICES LEAVE BAD TASTE IN STUDENTS' MOUTHS
You’re in uni, got a half hour gap before your next seminar and it’s approaching lunchtime, what do you do? Go to the canteen. BUT wait, nearly £5 for a meal deal sandwich are you kidding?!
You can walk across the road and get lunch for £3 in Sainsbury’s.
It’s got to the point where students are either bringing their own sandwiches in to uni (like a kid with a packed lunch), or choose to splash out on £1.35 for an overcooked flaky sausage-roll.
Sheffield Hallam students say they think their canteens are “pricey” and that there isn’t enough on offer, but university officials say:“It is good value quality food.”
Some students say that they only go to the canteen out of convenience and others say they would rather go to cafes and shops around Sheffield, because not only is it cheaper but the food is better quality.
Here’s what a few Hallam students had to say….
“Personally, I think the canteen prices are ridiculous. Who really wants to pay such high prices for food that is sub par? I understand it's a business but surely they could put some of that money into making the food better and more affordable for students who don't have that big of a weekly budget?” says Sophie Hickey.
"Why should I pay £5 + for a boring sandwhich and a drink when I could step outside and get a burrito and drink for the same price? If Hallam want their students to spend more time than they already do here - they need to make prices and food quality attractive” says Daniyal Khan.
Richard McGloin, Assistant Director Commercial Services, says the canteen prices are based on a number of factors: “The university asked that the catering department to make a small operating surplus, which is then re-invested back into other areas of the University.”
He says other things that can effect pricing is food inflation, staff costs and what local competitors are charging. “Because the university is city centre based (or collegiate which is near the busy Ecclesall road) pricing needs to be competitive” he says.
Each year, Sheffield Hallam University reassess the canteen food prices based on sample shopping baskets, local competition and other food and beverage providers.
But it’s not just the prices which prove a problem to students, it’s the lack of choice on offer.
Undergraduate Charlotte Lapping says the choice of baguettes limited unless you arrive at 12 o’clock: “They should serve more sandwiches too. The fillings are quite weird, and are not really something I'd want. Biscuits and cakes are nice but it's all way too expensive.”
Student Emma Williams says: “The food is ok if you are starving, but the choices are weird, like cheesy jalepeno sandwich... I’d just like plain tuna.”
Mr McGlion says they try and cater to all students and staff’s needs: “The idea is to offer a range of different product that meet the diverse needs of the 34,000 students and 4000 staff, this obviously includes a large number of international students as well.”
But frankly, Jamie Oliver wouldn’t be too happy with Hallam’s ‘healthier options’ on offer to students.
Student Sophie Lockhart, says there is not much choice for those who don’t want to eat junk. She says she regularly likes to watch her weight and “The only healthy option is a not so appetising pot of fruit with 5 pieces of melon in it.”
Some students say they only want decent, fresh, and good quality food, Is that a lot to ask for?
Richard says The Catering management team spend a lot of time speaking to the university’s student union, customer focus groups and from feedback forms. “We try and understand what students and staffs needs and expectations are”, but says it is impossible to meet everybody’s needs.
The Catering management say that they keep on top of replenishing the food and adding variety by monitoring food sales on the tills. They can then see what products are selling best to ensure we keep those products are on sale and poor selling items can be replaced with new ideas.
“We also monitor national eating trends so we can try and introduce them into our service. For instance
street food which is very popular at the moment has been introduced into two units in the last few months” says Richard.
But no matter what the officials say, some students believe the canteen food just isn’t up to scratch and want things to change.
“I can’t take walking into the canteen most lunchtimes and seeing a variety of expensive and unappetising squished sandwiches in plastic packaging anymore” says student Chris Hodgkinson.
