If grabbing lunch between classes feels like taking out a micro-loan, you’re not imagining it. Student Senate wants to hear from you. Students have been telling the Senate for months that cafeteria prices are too high and the numbers back it up.
In 2022, a cheeseburger cost $3; now it’s $6. Overall, food prices have jumped roughly 70% since the pandemic, with steady increases almost every year. Madison College now averages about $1.25 more per main menu item compared with peer institutions.
A short, two-minute survey is open for students to share their experiences. All responses are anonymous, and students are asked to complete them only once. The Senate will use this data when meeting with the college and the Facilities and Planning Council to push for lower cafeteria prices.
Prices have climbed for a mix of reasons. The cafeteria was not allowed to hire student workers in 2023, triggering an increase. Now they can, but prices remain high. More recently, vendor contract hikes caused another bump in August 2025.
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As a result, many students are heading to the Kwik Trip five minutes off-campus, where similar items cost nearly half as much. The College has tried to soften the blow by offering food voucher programs and a 10% discount on OneCard purchases.
Yet, the prices displayed in the cafeteria already reflect the discounted rate, meaning students who don’t use a OneCard actually pay 10% more than the sign shows.
If you want to help push prices down, take the survey and make your voice count.
Dining and Cooking