UMass Memorial Dining

Sodexo recently took over the UMassMemorial food service. Prior to their arrival, the food and prices were nothing to write home about. That said, we didn’t know how good we had it! Since the arrival of this conglomerate, prices have risen precipitously and quality has declined to the point where there is no joy in Mudville after eating at one of their cafeterias or café s.
Sandwiches — a basic item difficult to ruin — have been ruined. The quality of the bread and fillings are poor and the pre-​made wrapped sandwiches are wet from moisture. Soups, an important dish in a health care setting, now consist of poorer ingredients but have vastly increased salt content. Yogurts are borderline edible due to expiration date and refrigeration — and come at a premium price. A soda or a candy bar from the cafeteria or café or vending machines is $ 2.00. In addition, prices are higher in the cafés than they are in the cafeteria.
Essentially, Sodexo seems to have concluded that they have a captive patient and employee audience and feel free to price gouge while purchasing the cheapest ingredients they can get away with. They’re even nickling and diming us on the salt and pepper packets — which used to be available by the napkins but now we have to ask for them!
I feel their price structure has an unethical component. Patients and employees cannot easily get off campus in order to get a bite to eat and must suffer under the heavy and unappetizing hand of Sodexo. The only positive thing I can say about their food service is that it ensures I bring my lunch each and every day.