UMSPAR sick of food services
New student group formed to pressure renegotiation of ARAMARK contract
Tessa Vanderhart Staff
One main course, two sides, a salad bar, three small drinks and a dessert: a typical supper in Pembina Hall, for residents of Tache or Speechly Hall. But a recent meal in Pembina Hall with UMSPAR highlighted concerns that residence students have with the current meal plan, administered by ARAMARK, that will become of more importance as the university’s food services contract comes closer to expiring.
Matt Soprovich, a second-year arts student, is the president and only member of the University of Manitoba student food advisory and recommendation association (UMSPAR).
“You can’t deny the quantity, but in terms of quality, it’s just not there,” said Soprovich.
Little more than a loose association, UMSPAR hosted its first event last Wednesday. It was a success, according to Soprovich — a few students walked out of Pembina Hall on March 15, refusing to eat.
“I just want to come here once and not be disappointed,” said Jim Lyons, a second-year arts student.
The complaints emphasized by the group: styrofoam salad bar and dessert plates, difficulty in obtaining healthy or vegetarian options, the loss of purchased meals at the end of each month, and the large buy-in for meal plans in those Tache/Speechly residences (about $400 a month, or $3,033 per year for 360 meals, is the minimum).
Soprovich said that he would prefer the market-driven model available in University College residence, where students are able to purchase food on a declining balance meal plan, which works like a debit card from ARAMARK retail outlets around campus.
Mike Spencer, a second-year fine arts student, said that he’d support an UMSU bid for food services, because, he said, it would mean a move away from a profit-based model. He said that though it might cost the same, or more, reinvesting the profits would be preferable.
“It’s too much money,” Spencer said. Each meal costs approximately seven dollars.
They spoke positively, however, of residence buffets, sub bars, and the quantity and convenience of the meal plan.
The second demonstration of UMSPAR was held March 22 at 4:30 — Soprovich distributed letters to residence students to stage another walk-out.
Currently, the Residence Students’ Association Council (RSAC) meets biweekly with ARAMARK, but the issue of residence food comes up each year.
Over the summer, the university will be accepting bids to tender a new food services contract. The current contract with ARAMARK is set to expire in April 2007.
The current contract is not publicly accessible, and director of food services Brent Gilchrist could not be reached for comment at press time, but dialogue over the issue will continue at all levels in the coming months.
