Having a corner store right inside your dorm building might sound like a dream come true, but looking at the prices makes it feel like a nightmare.
The Campus Corner Market, built inside Campus View III, is priced the same as Harmons through Associated Foods, which for the average college student, is beyond their budget.
I compared the prices between the Corner Market and Harmons, and you can see a significant price increase in some items. For a campus that has the lowest tuition in the state, the campus grocery store is not the most budget-friendly option for students.
The average cost of groceries for a college student in Utah is $192 a month. As grocery prices keep rising, sticking to a $192 budget is harder than ever, especially for anyone cooking all their meals at home with meat and dairy.
My budget is $150 a month, and the Corner Market is not a feasible option if I want to make a home-cooked meal that week. I have to stick to the microwavable meals and frozen food because buying all the ingredients for a healthy meal would take up my whole budget.
That budget doesn’t include going out to eat, so really a student is spending $190 to $300 a month on groceries, eating out and the occasional sweet treat. They will be on the higher end of the budget if they specifically enjoy name-brand products rather than store brands.
When comparing the prices between Harmons and the Corner Market, there is about a dollar markup at the Corner Market for a lot of items. It is not just dairy that has an upcharge; produce and specific snacks and canned goods are also priced higher.
A gallon of whole milk at the Corner Market costs $4.29, while at Harmons it is $3.49. That might not seem like much, but it adds up.
Some items are priced higher because the Corner Market doesn’t get the items straight from the vendors. The market receives its items from Associated Foods, said Gus Pacchiega, director of campus store and retail operations.
It is hard to justify the prices when I could go somewhere else to find the same items cheaper.
The market does have positives compared to Harmons, such as:
- More convenient as it is on campus
- Students can pay with meal plans
Yet, there are more positives to shopping off campus such as:
- More food options, a wider variety
- Cheaper prices
- Can cook a healthy meal at cheaper price
- Ability to try new recipes
Yes, the Corner Market may be more feasible for students who want to save gas or don’t have means of transportation, but that doesn’t mean they deserve to pay higher prices on groceries.
“We are still a young store and are trying every day to work out better deals and pass down savings to our students and staff,” Pacchiega said.
The Corner Market prices are not worth the convenience. If I am going to buy food, I would rather have more options found at a better price. So, Walmart and Smith’s are always good options for student-friendly budget grocery stores.
