5 things: Bucknell students file meal plan price gouging complaint with state attorney general

Each Friday Food Management compiles a list that highlights five things you probably missed in the onsite foodservice news that week and why you should care about them.

Here’s your list for the week of August 24:

1. Bucknell students file price gouging complaint over meal plan cost

On July 24, Bucknell University released its new meal plan which reflected changes made by the university to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including pre-packaged meals, as opposed to the customizable and buffet food options that were previously available to students. The cost of the lowest meal plan—which only guarantees the student seven full meals per week—was $1,400. Previously, the lowest cost for a campus meal plan was $700.

The university’s decision, which was announced a month before students were slated to return to campus, sparked immediate outrage among students. A petition calling the meal plan changes “unacceptable in the current global climate” gained nearly 5,000 signatures. Additionally, a formal complaint was filed with state Attorney General Josh Shapiro accusing Bucknell University of “price gouging” during a pandemic.

Read more: Bucknell students file complaint with PA attorney general; accuse the school of price gouging

2. University of California to phase out single-use plastics in retail, dining

Related:Seattle Mariners’ Centerplate chef steps up to plate with YouTube cooking videos for fans

Under a new policy announced Aug. 24, all 10 University of California campuses will phase out single-use plastic bags in retail and dining locations and then eliminate single-use plastic food service items and plastic bottles. The move is part of a bold new commitment to help UC achieve its zero waste goals.

Read more: UC to ditch single-use plastics

3. Hospital issues vouchers for fresh food at nearby produce market

Every Friday from June through Oct. 25, pediatric patients from the VHP–Children’s Clinic at Lehigh Valley Hospital and their families receive $20 vouchers from the food pharmacy program to spend at the Rodale Mobile Market. Participating families are considered at-risk for food insecurity and have at least one child with a diagnosis of obesity and/or type 2 diabetes. The families get to choose the vegetables they want from a wide array of seasonal produce.

In addition to the Children’s Clinic, LVHN Comprehensive Health Services also provides weekly fresh food vouchers for many of its patients who are living with HIV/AIDS and experiencing food insecurity as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Read more: Fresh Food Pharmacy Aims to Improve Health Outcomes for High-Risk Patients

Related:Food service menu trending: University of Florida partners with local Cuban restaurant; new food hall

4. Western Illinois University cuts meal plan cost by more than half

As of the fall 2020 semester, the meal plan at Western Illinois University has drastically changed. The plan has transformed from retail pricing to residential pricing, meaning it is now geared toward the dining options in the residence halls as the primary component, with all other options as luxuries. In fall 2019, the basic meal plan, which is the minimum plan required for all students living on campus, was a $1,900 plan. This year, the plan has been cut down by more than half to a mere $760.

Read more: Student meal plan takes $1,140 cut

5. NFL’s Titans go to pre-packaged meals at training camp

If you close your eyes while standing outside of the Tennessee Titans' facility at St. Thomas Sports Park, you might think you're at a restaurant. The tempting aroma of grilled food emanates from the cafeteria, which is tasked with feeding around 180 people a day.

But providing meals to players and staff during the coronavirus pandemic, when everyone must maintain a safe distance, required big changes, including in how meals are served, where players eat and even how they interact.

Gone are the gourmet, buffet-style meals that were previously served throughout the day.

Now meals are pre-packaged, available as early as 5:45 a.m.

Read more: How the Titans are running their cafeteria during a pandemic

Bonus: Maschio’s Food Services creates commissary to better feed kids during pandemic

Contact Mike Buzalka at [email protected]