To:
President Graham Carr,
VP Services & Sustainability Michael DiGrappa,
ED Budget Planning and Business Sabrina Lavoie,
Administrators of Concordia University,
And Aramark
Subject: Resident Students demand to See Real Transformative Change in Concordia’s Food System
We the residents of Grey Nuns, Hingston Hall, and Jesuit Residence are very disappointed to learn that the Food Service Contract was once again awarded to Aramark, until 2026 with the option to renew the contract for two years with only incremental changes to the previous contract.
As residents we are forced to purchase the University’s Meal Plan, and to say it has been disappointing is an understatement. Aramark and Concordia have taken advantage of us by overcharging us for low quality food, and offering limited healthy choices. The previous food contract promised students to see increased options for students with all types of dietary restrictions: allergens, religious or chosen; and they have failed to do so time and time again. According to one celiac student at the Loyola campus they were regularly unable to eat at the Buzz Cafeteria, due to no gluten-free options being provided - despite regular communication about their disease. The COVID-19 Pandemic has only made things worse, as the University removed all options for residents to cook and many of the food outlets remained closed, yet the cost of the plan did not change.
We call on the University Administrators to put their money where their mouths are and engage meaningfully in collaboration towards transformative change in the food system. Universities are anchor institutions in the broader context of regional and global food systems with a responsibility to be the change the community seeks. Concordia has the social, intellectual and financial capital to meet this opportunity for truly transformative change. Together we can go farther and do more for students, farmers, workers and the planet.
Sincerely,
Concordia student residents of Grey Nuns, Hingston Hall and Jesuit Residence
To:
President Graham Carr,
VP Services & Sustainability Michael DiGrappa,
ED Budget Planning and Business Sabrina Lavoie,
Administrators of Concordia University,
And Aramark
Subject: Resident Students demand to See Real Transformative Change in Concordia’s Food System
We the residents of Grey Nuns, Hingston Hall, and Jesuit Residence are very disappointed to learn that the Food Service Contract was once again awarded to Aramark, until 2026 with the option to renew the contract for two years with only incremental changes to the previous contract.
As residents we are forced to purchase the University’s Meal Plan, and to say it has been disappointing is an understatement. Aramark and Concordia have taken advantage of us by overcharging us for low quality food, and offering limited healthy choices. The previous food contract promised students to see increased options for students with all types of dietary restrictions: allergens, religious or chosen; and they have failed to do so time and time again. According to one celiac student at the Loyola campus they were regularly unable to eat at the Buzz Cafeteria, due to no gluten-free options being provided - despite regular communication about their disease. The COVID-19 Pandemic has only made things worse, as the University removed all options for residents to cook and many of the food outlets remained closed, yet the cost of the plan did not change.
We call on the University Administrators to put their money where their mouths are and engage meaningfully in collaboration towards transformative change in the food system. Universities are anchor institutions in the broader context of regional and global food systems with a responsibility to be the change the community seeks. Concordia has the social, intellectual and financial capital to meet this opportunity for truly transformative change. Together we can go farther and do more for students, farmers, workers and the planet.
Sincerely,
Concordia student residents of Grey Nuns, Hingston Hall and Jesuit Residence