2008 Woodie Awards
Campus Cafeteria $600,000 in the Red
Valley College looking for adequate vendors to fit students' needs.
Will Reyes
Issue date: 10/19/05 Section: News
|
"We suffered losses every year," said Raul Gonzalez, assistant vice president of administrative services. "That was money coming out of the general fund."
Valley terminated business with Hot Stuff Foods in September because the school was losing about $200,000 a year under the agreed business plan.
Hot Stuff, which franchised Mean Gene's Burgers, Hot Stuff Pizza and provided the food products and supplies, left the college in charge of most of the services. Valley was in charge of hiring and paying employees - some of which were receiving $15 an hour plus benefits - a situation that made it difficult to turn a profit, according to James Watson, contract manager for the district.
"The logistics of it didn't allow for cheap food," Watson said.
The cafeteria was forced to raise prices to limit the losses. Faced with the more expensive menu, many students didn't use the cafeteria and the losses accumulated.
Poor sales were also attributed to students' general lack of knowledge about the cafeteria.
"I've never eaten at the cafeteria," said Valley student Kristine Khatchatrian. "Actually, I don't even know where it is."
Since the cancellation of Hot Stuff's contract, Valley has been temporarily leasing the cafeteria to Deli, Depot and More which has been serving food since Sept. 6 but is not allowed to prepare food on campus because of its temporary status. Deli, Depot and More offers a variety of lunch and dinner sandwiches.
The cafeteria is relatively empty. With a lack of signs and hot food to attract students, most spend their time studying or just hanging out.
"I mostly spend my time in here with a soda and some friends," graphic design major Francis Medel said. "Ever since they took out the hot food I'm just not interested in eating here."
