Jessica Walker
Athens, Ga. — The University of Georgia’s meal plan is more expensive than the national average, and for some students it’s not worth it.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, the average 19-50 year old spends $228-$268 per month on food under a moderate cost plan.
Athens, Ga. — The University of Georgia’s meal plan is more expensive than the national average, and for some students it’s not worth it.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, the average 19-50 year old spends $228-$268 per month on food under a moderate cost plan.
Snelling, one of the university's dining halls, is open 24 hours.
Although the University has won a total of 71 awards for their food service including the prestigious Ivy Award, the seven-day meal plan costs $352.20 per month, more than $84 over the national average. The five-day plan is $1660 per semester, which breaks down to $332 per month.
While the plan does offer unlimited access to its award winning food throughout both semesters, some students don’t feel it’s worth it.
“It’s not quite worth it because I live in East Campus Village this year, and I go to The Summit a lot,” said Niujing Jiang, a sophomore majoring in pre-business. “Plus, I don’t eat a lot.”
Senior Elizabeth Ames agrees, “I love being off the meal plan. I was on it my freshman and sophomore years, but now I like making my own food. I’m eating healthier now.”
Unlike most universities, which require students to buy their food service programs, UGA’s meal plan is completely voluntary and serves 96 percent of students that live on campus.
“Being on the meal plan is definitely easier than preparing my own food,” says Jiang. “I know I’m going to go there to eat, even if I don’t want to.”
Ames agrees that going to the dining halls is convenient for many students but believes that buying her own food is cheaper.
“My roommates and I rotate weeks that we each buy groceries,” Ames said. “When I do buy groceries I spend $80-$90, but I eat out a lot more now.”
“University of Georgia Food Services continues to rank in the top one percent of food services based on customer satisfaction and national awards earned,” according to UGA’s Food Service Web site.
“I like being on the meal plan a lot,” freshman Elizabeth Tori said. “It’s great because I can go around and grab everything and I don’t have to feel bad about spending money.”
After students factor in tuition, the cost of books and living expenses, spending $3,522 on the seven-day meal plan over the course of the academic year is overwhelming for some.
“I’m not getting the meal plan next year,” Jiang said. “I am tired of the food, and I want to save money.”
For Jiang and others, convenience does not outweigh the costs.
While the plan does offer unlimited access to its award winning food throughout both semesters, some students don’t feel it’s worth it.
“It’s not quite worth it because I live in East Campus Village this year, and I go to The Summit a lot,” said Niujing Jiang, a sophomore majoring in pre-business. “Plus, I don’t eat a lot.”
Senior Elizabeth Ames agrees, “I love being off the meal plan. I was on it my freshman and sophomore years, but now I like making my own food. I’m eating healthier now.”
Unlike most universities, which require students to buy their food service programs, UGA’s meal plan is completely voluntary and serves 96 percent of students that live on campus.
“Being on the meal plan is definitely easier than preparing my own food,” says Jiang. “I know I’m going to go there to eat, even if I don’t want to.”
Ames agrees that going to the dining halls is convenient for many students but believes that buying her own food is cheaper.
“My roommates and I rotate weeks that we each buy groceries,” Ames said. “When I do buy groceries I spend $80-$90, but I eat out a lot more now.”
“University of Georgia Food Services continues to rank in the top one percent of food services based on customer satisfaction and national awards earned,” according to UGA’s Food Service Web site.
“I like being on the meal plan a lot,” freshman Elizabeth Tori said. “It’s great because I can go around and grab everything and I don’t have to feel bad about spending money.”
After students factor in tuition, the cost of books and living expenses, spending $3,522 on the seven-day meal plan over the course of the academic year is overwhelming for some.
“I’m not getting the meal plan next year,” Jiang said. “I am tired of the food, and I want to save money.”
For Jiang and others, convenience does not outweigh the costs.
Jessica, great work on fine tuning that lede. The information in graphs 2-3, as you know, as well as any other comparative stats you could find, would work well as an infographic. In graph 13, a transition word like "Still, after students..." might work well. Also, I'm not sure that you need the last graph. Most importantly, though, I still think that you need to add a quote from a University employee in the food service department to have perfect balance. Otherwise, as you know, this is a very good piece.
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