CADEN HAYNOR / NEWS EDITOR

When  USD students returned to campus this year, they encountered a noticeable price  increase on the food offered at on-campus dining areas. Tu Mercado,  La Paloma, Aromas Cafe and the  Student Life  Pavilion  (SLP)  all  saw added expenses on food items such as sandwiches, bowls and plates.

USD sophomore Iris Lowe described her reaction to these price increases when she started this school year.

“I   noticed  that  the  sandwiches at Tu Mercado have raised in price to $15, which is insane,” Lowe stated. “I don’t know where these added prices are coming from because they seem too high. I have to pay much more attention to what I am buying now because each item is more expensive now.”

Loryn Johnson, director of marketing and licensing within Auxiliary   Services,   explained  why USD  Dining increased the price on many food items around campus.

“Pricing is impacted by local, state, national and global economies,” Johnson stated. “Prices on food items typically only  increase once a  year. Prior to  the  fall   semester,  USD Dining  management  reviews food pricing for every menu and retail item. Market research is done to find out what local eateries  are charging.  USD Dining compares similar products in terms of  quality,  size  and  price.”

Johnson also cited inflation as a leading factor in these price increases.

“Inflation is a major factor of the price of goods,” Johnson explained. “Recent    inflation   rates are  unprecedented and impacted by local, national and global challenges. For the past twelve months through  July 2025, the San Diego metro area experienced a 4% inflation rate. The cost of living in San Diego is significantly higher than the national average.”

The  Bureau  of Labor Statistics  (BLS)   reported  that  the consumer  price index for the San Diego-Carlsbad region increased by  0.8%  from  June  to July  2025, and 4% in the past year. The BLS also announced that the food index increased 0.5% over the month, as the food at home index (grocery store prices) rose 0.6% and the food away from home index (restaurants, cafeteria and vending purchases) increased 0.3%.

In Tu Mercado, a sandwich at the build-your-own station increased in price from $13.50 to $14.95. In La Paloma, a 12 ounce latte increased in price from $9.50 to $9.90. In Aromas, a specialty toast increased in price from $8.75 to $9.50.

These price increases have caused an increase in meal plan pricing for this academic year. The minimum meal plan required for resident freshmen has increased by 141 dining dollars and the minimum resident meal plan required for sophomores has increased by 110 dining dollars. The overall full-time student meal plan cost per semester increased by $175 for this academic year.

Lowe explained how these price   increases   have   affected  how she  watches her  meal plan funds.

“I feel like I’m already watching  my  dining  dollars more than  I  was  last year, and  it’s only the beginning of the year,” Lowe said. “Also, the fact that you can only use swipes at SLP during  the  night is  unreasonable. I have to use dining dollars at all other times of the day. As a college student, you’re eating things  all  day  and having that as a worry is unreasonable because then you don’t eat as much.”

Before the semester began, many   USD   students   arrived  early to school to participate in certain programs ran by the University. USD  sophomore Lucia  Laniecki  participated in one of these events. She explained her food situation during that time.

“I was at school two weeks early before school started for a program I was helping out with at the school and we did not get any compensation for food at any of the dining facilities for breakfast or dinner the entire time,” Laniecki said. “The sophomores were generally okay, because we had kitchens in our dorms, but many of the freshmen that were involved were totally screwed because they didn’t have a kitchen.”

On-campus lunch is the only meal that has been hit by price increases. Athlete breakfast is open to only athletes and occurs at the SLP from 7-9:30 a.m. Monday through Friday and has experienced gradual changes. 

In  an  email sent to USD student athletes in early September,   reviewed   by   The   USD Vista, Deputy Athletic Director    Jessica  Goerke explained the new price and terms of athlete breakfast this school year.

“For $8, you may pass once through the buffet line OR take one to-go box,” Goerke wrote. “Please note: you cannot double up with both a pass-through and a to-go box in the same visit.”

This new price introduced a $1 increase from last year, which continued a trend in breakfast cost increase from previous years. Being able to pass through the buffet line only once is a completely new development from previous years. Last year, student-athletes were able to pass through the breakfast line multiple times.

Meal plans increased in price this academic year as well. Emma Pirhala/The USD Vista

In response to these changes, multiple  male and female student-athletes from various sports   expressed concern for their personal finances. These students wished to remain unnamed at the instruction of their coaches. Some athletes also decided not to purchase a meal plan for this school year and to instead buy their own meals from off-campus grocery stores due to increased prices across the board at USD.

Changes in food pricing will continue  to  be   assessed   and  made by USD Dining in future years. Johnson explained the projected plan for food price changes.

“The plan is to continue to review prices at least once a year,” Johnson stated. “We remain flexible and open to adjustments when the economy, or other outside factors, require us to make changes. Meal plan pricing is set well in advance for the academic year and does not change until potentially the next academic year, which makes it a great value for students – allowing them to plan for their annual food budget.”

Students from different areas in the University who have been affected by these price increases will continue to assess whether these changes are making too large of an impact in their daily lives or if they can live with higher food prices.

USD Dining increased prices this academic year in multiple areas serving food on campus. Sands Chipman/The USD Vista