The Clackamas print., March 12, 2008, Page 2, Image 2

2 News
Clackamas
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Chartwells: Food survey asks big queStic
about quality, price, health and satisfacti
Continued from CHARTWELLS, Page 1
According to Bookstore Director David Holcomb, or better the quality of food.”
, Other complaints mentioned were the health aspects
the survey was produced to give “campus input on how
the food service is doing” and to allow respondents to; of the food served, service and the times at which food
is actually available.
contribute ideas for change.
‘It seems the. cafeteria is now more like a con-:
One of the main questions in the survey asked why
students don’t eat on campus. An overwhelming num- venience store fillet! with snacks, chips, soda and
*ber of responses claimed that prices are to blame, as unhealthy food,” said another respondent. “I bring
my lunch to work now to save time and money (and
well as food quality' and choice.
.
“We should offer better prices,” said one respon­ calories).”
With the survey completed, the Food Committee
dent. “The food that we offer now is not worth the high
price. A student... could get a better-quality choice for will now analyze the results in hopes that it can better
about the same price off campus. Either lower the price serve the campus community.
Chartwells, which has been a part of the
since August 2005, updated its contract in 2(
contract states that in order for a party to ch
agreement, there must be a 60-day written not
to the termination date.
It is unclear what the survey results may
Students and faculty alike await a decision.
“I’m not sure what the school wants to d
moment,” said sophomore Kristin Overson “j
that a lot of people are not happy with Chartwf
knows, maybe this is it for them.”
H H I
Survey Comments
“Although the work­
ers at Chartwells are
great, management is
really bad "and food
quality is low for the
price. Saturday Market
food kiosks could fill
up during the week and
offer more variety, bet­
ter food and reasonable
prices.”
Questions about
Chartwells' operations
are nationwide
Other Chartwells operations have been hit
hard with complaints about health, food safety
and employee treatment
Lydia I. Bashaw
News Editor
“Thank you for doing
the survey. CCC is a
hostage to our current
vendor and contract.”.
“It
seems
that
Chartwells is calling the
shots for our food choic­
es (in the cafeteria and
at|xampus functions),
rather than the other
way around. . I really
hope that their contract
is thoroughly reviewed
and that we can offer an
alternative. Chartwells
is very limited in what
they offer, their prices
have.increases and their
quality has decreased,
allWithout a thought to
studcnts/staff on bud­
gets. Departments are
having to become very
creative in order to get
around having to use
them for our department
and division functions.”
“The current ser­
vice and food quality is
very good. The staff of
Chartwells is, very kind
and helpful. Tktìow that
college . staff complain
about Chartwells, •ut I ’
believe there has been
improvements provided
from those complaints.
I think the food pric­
ing is
is very competitive,
and I 1 think
’’ ’
we nave the
best situation we can
have. They are a busi­
ness, and a business has
to profit to stay alive.
Please don’t screw it up
by going outside again
for another contracted
service provider. When
we have done that in the
past, jve have ended up
with worse.”
The National Education Association (NEA), an organization
that fights for students’ rights, has had several complaints made
about Chartwells in the past eight years.
.... Chartwells is a national food-service nroviHer for coKooi^-ooi
legesanaimivers file's'tnrough out North America. It goes By several'
different names, including Chartwells EdücatronaEFóodserViceá'
Incorporation, Chartwells Education Dining Services and other
subsidiaries of the food service conglomerate Compass Group.
According to an article published in the October 2002 issue of
The Ann Arbor News, a student at the Cheney Academy of Math
and Science, in Ypsilanti, Mich., found mold in her bread.
The story stated that County inspection of the operation found
Chartwells to be in violation of several codes. The inspector found
food-left at improper temperatures and food packages lacking
expiration dates.
Students at the school instituted a full boycott of the food ser­
vices.
,
As stated in an article published in The Record, the Wayne
Cafeteria Association (WCA) of Bergen County, N.J., requested
in July 2002 that the school board reevaluate its contract with
Chartwells’ North Carolina company. The WCA complained of
issues regarding “employee treatment.”
According to the article, “employees complained that their
paychecks often fell short or were lost by the company, and their
employer would take months to correct the mistake.”
After careful consideration, the board ended its contract with
the company and hired a new food-service provider.
The NEA is dedicated to many educational issues at the elemen­
tary and secondary level, but it ranks food health at the top.
“Without food safety and health,” the NEA Web site states, “the
other issues regarding our schools do not matter. It starts with our
body health, and then we can worry about the other issues.”
“I’d. like to see more food labeling, especially
sodium content, fat breakdown and calories. Lots
of inefficiency - people waiting in line, for coffee
have to compete with people in line for food. Some
workers have great costumer service; others have a
‘not my job’ attitude. Take a look at PSU’s organic,
local, student-run cafe - it’s the best food on their
campus and helps students learn about the busi­
ness.”
do not believe that Chartwells Management
» supports college staff schedules or our evening and
Weekend students. 1) Closed during long breaks
even though college staff will work (examples:
breaks after summer and fall terms). 2) Change
operating hours without input from staff. 3) Closed
to staff during short breaks to support special col­
lege events.” >
Kayla Berge
Students wait in line at Chartwells to buy lund
snacks. One of the main complaints from surve
dents was the length of lines in the cafeteria.
------------------
Hii-
i I Price
Comparison: Chartwells vs. I
Item
Chartwells
Candy Bar
$1.40
20 oz. Coca-Cola
$1.20
Lay’s Chips
$1.15
Yogurt
$0.99
Cup of soup
$2.99
Hi
“Please change the food service: There mus’
affordable options that are healthy, that model
college should model: smart living. We need)*
satisfying, fresh, real food in a place where wt
sit down together and visit over lunch or break
Until this quality food experience can be prov
let’s cut the cafeteria service altogether.”
- Compiled by Lydia Bashaw and MattG®