McGill's food campus prices

Should the university provide cheaper options for students?

McGill’s campus food prices are becoming unaffordable for students

Canada has been facing pressing issues since 2020, with inflation being one of them. Statistics Canada states that from late 2021 until October of 2022, grocery prices have increased 11%! It is becoming increasingly more difficult for students to afford groceries, and to ensure they are eating a healthy diet. McGill is not helping students by offering cheaper options. Both the mandatory meal plans for students living in residences and food on campus food outlets are extremely expensive. For students living in the university residences, the meal plan is necessary, as there are no proper facilities for students to make their own meals. This meal plan is also extremely high, and has increased by 35.5% over the last 5 years. The $4,725 fee for the meal plan is almost 90% higher than 8 months worth of groceries!!!

In addition to the extremely expensive meal plan, the prices of food at campus food outlets has been rising to extreme and unreasonable prices. Redpath Café is the library cafeteria. It is in a very convenient location and has a great space to eat with your friends on your study breaks. However, the prices are so high that it is not an ideal place for students to eat their lunches. There are many healthy options, however they are not affordable. It is not reasonable to expect that all students can afford a $17.69 salad, a $5.82 granola bar, or a $4.39 pack of seaweed (an extremely small pack!!). With these prices, students might as well walk across the street to Tim Hortons to purchase their $4.99 crispy chicken sandwich (an unhealthy option, however it is a meal that is cheaper than the small snacks at Redpath).

With high food prices at grocery stores, the high cost of meal plan, and the cost of food at McGill-run stores, students are finding difficulty eating proper meals. The McGill Tribune notes that students at McGill have admitted the high costs are leading them “to unhealthy eating practices to get by, such as under-eating or skipping meals entirely”.

Food Inflation in Canada from October 2022

McGill’s food contracts that result in high prices

The instagram account @lets.eat.mcgill explains that 20 years ago, McGill University has more food options on campus at much more reasonable prices. These cafeterias and food stores were student run, and were a much better option for students on a budget than the options provided today. Student-run McGill magazine, The Bull & Bear show that since 2000, when McGill began its partnership with Chartwell Corporations, the university has prioritized privatization of food on campus over the well-being of students. In 2019, McGill partnered with another major corporation, Dana Hospitality. These corporations have a monopoly over the food services on campus, and the food is not offered at reasonable prices.

Redpath café logo

McGill needs to end the corporate monopoly on campus food

McGill needs to end their partnerships with Chartwell Corporation and Dana Hospitality. These companies supply food to most of the dining halls on campus, and the prices are impacting students, especially low-income students. Students living in residences at McGill university depend on the dining halls, and the prices need to be lower. Students are constantly working on campus, and need options near the library that are affordable. If McGill drops these large corporations, McGill can go back to how it was two decades ago, when students could more easily afford food.

Examples of food prices at Redpath Café

How students can take action

@lets.eat.mcgill is taking action on this pressing issue. If you would like to make a change, and encourage McGill to provide affordable food to students, join them on March 7th at 6pm-8pm in the Arts Building W-215. At this assembly, the group will be joining to discuss matters on “affordable food, student-run cafes, and subsidized groceries”. If you cannot attend the assembly, you can take action by signing and sharing their petition to “end high prices in McGill Cafeterias”! Help Let’s Eat McGill spread their message by sharing their account on Instagram, ask professors to make announcements about it in class or share on their MyCourses, or join their working groups through this link.