Over the last couple of years food prices have hit all-time highs in the United States. But, according to the Economic Research Service U.S. Department of Agriculture website, food prices are expected to decelerate in 2024 compared to previous years.
But that deceleration may take some time to reach Eastern Idaho and the campus of BYU-Idaho. BYU-Idaho’s Crossroads cafeteria has increased its meal prices for at least three of its restaurants in 2024. Students and faculty have observed the recent changes and voiced their concerns.
“I think it's ridiculous. I think students should have some more affordable options for food, you know, we're all out here struggling, so let's get some cheaper options that are still healthy. Make it work,” said BYU-Idaho student Nate Tiszai.
Andy Ordonez another student said, “I go in and buy stuff and it just sucks to see everything going up in price because it just affects my financial budget.”
Christian Mawlam a BYU-Idaho faculty member in the Communication Department said he does not feel like he is benefiting from the employee discount anymore.
“So full time employees, as far as I'm aware, that's who this discount extends to, is $3 off if you spend, I think it's $6 or more, something like that. I used to enjoy that discount, but the price hikes seem to have negated that now.”
University Food Service Director Todd Huchendorf explained why the recent changes were necessary.
“Over here my labor is driving my price, and over here, the cost of the food drives that. We don't always follow directly because sometimes it's going to go up and down. We take time sometimes to see if we can absorb some of that cost, if possible.”
Huchendorf also said their distributors’ food costs have doubled in price for some items over the last eight months. Those prices have the potential to drop, but it all depends on the demand and season.
Huchendorf gave an example of this when he talked about opening the Italian artisan sandwich restaurant Campagna.
“When I started Campagna, the price of my beef that I chose was only $3.60 a pound. months later, it's $6.15, and I'm still sitting at that original price. And $6.15 from $3.60, I'm almost going up double now. I can't go from a $6 sandwich to a $12 sandwich and be successful. So sometimes I have to take my lumps.”
In 2020, food-away-from-home prices increased 3.4%. This convergence was largely driven by a rapid increase in food-at-home prices following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023 food-away-from-home prices increased by 7.1%. However, according to the latest inflation figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the cost of dining out in January was up 5.1% year over year and up 0.5% compared to the previous months.
BYU-Idaho Radio was unable to retrieve archived records of the price and percentage changes at the restaurants in The Crossroads but was able to gather data from student receipts over the past few months. At Chef Point, the price for a meal at the biggening of the Winter 2024 semester, excluding taxes, was $8.29. That price has changed to $8.99, which is an 8.44% increase.
A combo meal at the Apollo Gyros meal combo was raised to $9.99 from $8.50, which is a 17.53% increase. Two weeks ago, from when this article was written, Philly Cheesesteaks at Teton Grill were $6.49, they are $6.99 now, which comes out to a 7.7% increase. All prices were raised within the 2024 Winter semester.