By Katie Hamilton
The c-store located in Market Place on Neil Avenue is filled with snacks for students to purchase
The C in c-store may stand for convenience, but the Ohio State administration may not be as convenient as they thought.
Many students find the lack of healthy products, variety of options, and the change in swipe value inhibits their ability to use the c-store for its original intent.
“We know that students and their busy lives have different needs at different times of the day and different days of the week, so our intent is to have a wide range of options, so we can serve them as they need,” Dave Isaacs, spokesman for University Dining Services said. “The C obviously stands for convenience: its right on campus, you can grab something after class or on your way to class.”
Students biggest complaint with the c-store seems to be the reduction of value their swipe has in the store. A swipe is a part of a student’s meal plan which can be used at any Ohio State dining service. It’s usually worth $8 but it is notably decreased to $5 when shopping at the c-store, despite the products being priced higher than local grocery stores, such as Giant Eagle and Kroger.
Isaacs explained that two years ago dining services met with several students including representatives for USG and RAC, staff members, and others to discuss the dining plans. It is there that they decided to reduce the value of a swipe at the c-store after they analyzed all the aspects of a meal plan: what the values of food were and what the financial needs of students were.
“Our prices are based on several things: one is the price were charged by our venders and we also benchmark other colleges and universities meaning we compare prices, offerings, and what kind of operations they run,” Isaacs said.
Isaacs didn’t know what specific student financial aspects made them decide to decrease the swipe amount and also said he wasn’t sure who would have that information.
“I like the c-store and the things that they have but I don’t like the price, so I use it less because of the price,” Kristin Sampson, a second-year said.
Sampson explained that she continues to go to Kroger despite the c-store being closer to her because she feels the prices are too high and that the store lacks variety.
One element of the c-store students find to be particularly lacking is the range of fresh produce available.
“I’ve tried to be healthier and the c-store just doesn’t have a lot of options,” second-year Katie Turner said. “They have strawberries and carrots and that’s it, so I try to stay clear of it.”
Turner said it was nice to have the extra options available, although she didn’t find the c-store’s offerings very fulfilling of her dietary needs.
When asked about the lack of variety available at the c-store, Isaac explained that what’s offered is based on available square footage as well as student demand and feedback within the structure of their vendor contracts.
“If there is a product or line of products that students want we absolutely encourage that feedback,” Isaacs shared. “If it’s at all feasible we will work to make that happen.”
Isaacs explained that students can email dining@osu.edu with any requests they may have for items in the c-store. He could not say whether or not they actually implemented any of those requests thus far.