Sodexo’s lack of healthy food, high-priced meal plans have students concerned

OSHKOSH, Wis. — According to UW Oshkosh students, Sodexo Inc’s lack of healthy food alternatives and the high priced meal plans have students concerned.

UWO wrestler David Jackstadt said he avoids unhealthy eating choices by eating a sandwich from Reeve Memorial Union every day.

“I would like to see more readily available healthy options,” Jackstadt said. “I want to be able to mix it up.”

UWO student Jordan Konkol said he routinely has soup and a sandwich each day in order to avoid unhealthy food options.

“They need healthy, good food where you aren’t taking in so many calories at once,” Konkol said.

UWO freshman Sydney Langmann said the change in food options from 2014 to 2015 thus far has lacked.

“All I’ve seen is an added menu at the entrance showing us the healthier options,” Langmann said. “I wish there was more fresh fruit, but I know it’s difficult to provide because it is a college campus.”

Sodexo Inc. is the North American division of the Sodexo Group, a Paris-based contract management company. They provide many forms of social services to businesses, institutions and public entities.

According to Food Management, an independent agent, Sodexo Inc. makes close to $23 billion in total revenue with 39 percent from the United States. Sodexo Inc. makes about $8.9 billion in the United States alone.

“It is really disheartening knowing how much they make because we don’t get that much out of it, especially knowing we have student workers, but I’m sure they don’t get paid as much as their adult counterparts,” Langmann said.

With Sodexo as a contracted food vender in universities such as UWO, a part of that profit comes from college students’ pockets.

“I personally think prices are too high because I went home last weekend and saw you can get a bunch of bananas for $0.69 per pound while here one is $1.09 and this is college,” Langmann said. “They should be an advocate.”