ASUCLA-run restaurants to increase food prices in June

Food prices at all campus-run restaurants will face an increase of 2.5 percent starting next month.

The Associated Students UCLA Board of Directors unanimously approved a measure on Friday to raise food prices, the third such increase in price in as many years.

The price increase, which comes into effect in mid-June, is not the largest of its kind.

Prices are annually adjusted to account for inflation, the rising cost of raw materials and employee salaries, said Cindy Bolton, director of food service at ASUCLA.

Because ASUCLA restaurant items sell below retail value, prices must be raised to minimize loss, Bolton said.

Though Bolton initially recommended a 5 percent increase for the upcoming school year, the Finance Committee voted to lower the amount to 2.5 percent before presenting the proposal to the Board of Directors.

The predicted $164,000 return due to price increases will be used to better serve students and patrons at campus-run facilities, Bolton said.

Students who frequent ASUCLA restaurants had mixed reactions, however.

Jhaimy Fernandez, a first-year neuroscience student who eats at LuValle Commons at least once a week, said he does not think that prices should be increased without adjusting food quality or adding new options.

Carina Martinez, a second-year history student and a daily patron at UCLA restaurants, said small price increases eventually add up, yet most students are unaware of annual adjustments.

“It’s kind of frustrating because not a lot of people notice it,” Martinez said.

John Miklas, a second-year English student who only orders off the value menu, said he does not expect the price change to affect his eating at campus-run restaurants.

“Unless they get rid of their value menu, I would continue eating here,” he said.

ASUCLA has not yet decided which specific items in their restaurants will be affected by the increase in price.