The case of the incredible shrinking lunch

Ashlyn Koga
April 15, 2009
Filed under Features

Is the stress of third quarter making our imaginations run wild, or have portion sizes actually decreased?

Out of 600 students surveyed in the upper school, 216, or 36 percent, believe something’s been fishy.  But what’s even more shocking is the 64 percent of students upset by this year’s price increase.  Is the cafeteria taking advantage of its monopoly power?

The two main items students complained about were the chicken nuggets and Icees.  They noticed that there were fewer nuggets given for the same price and that the Icee cover limits the amount given.

Kevin Wada, head of Sodexho Marriott Food Service, the company that runs the cafeteria, said, “No, there has not been a decrease in portion size.”

This is Mr. Wada’s third year at ‘Iolani, and he said that the prices have risen every year.  “The cost of our goods and labor is the cause,” Wada said, “Our prices go up when the base good’s prices go up.”

Also, as many people have noticed, the cafeteria is incorporating healthier alternatives into the meals.

“Healthier options tend to be more expensive, such as fresher and locally grown produce,” Mr. Wada said.

Some students grumbled about the “herbs” and “healthy stuff” but most had no opinion.  Ms. Charlie Ritts said, “I appreciate the healthy change in the lunches!”

This year, the costs for goods were unusually high, so Mr. Wada raised the prices to compensate.  The Gatorade, spam musubi and Icee prices are the ones that upset most students.  However, 41 percent of the students surveyed buy lunch.  Nevertheless, almost everyone visits the snack bar and is affected by the price increase.

Despite all these complaints, the cafeteria has not seen a decrease in profits.  That means students will buy their goods even at high prices.  “The only thing that can stop a monopoly from raising its prices is a decrease in the demand,” economics teacher Col. Richard Rankin said.  Although Mr. Wada has the students’ best interest at hand, he does run a business and making money is important.

To help combat the rising prices separate what you need to eat from what you want to eat.  Eat smart to save money.