College students are notorious for the creative ways that they make meals out of what they have.  Unfortunately, these meals aren’t exactly the best of sorts.

Your typical college kid has a diet that consists of Ramen noodles and the McDonald’s Dollar Menu.  This type of diet isn’t ideal for anyone, no matter what type of budget one may have.

When asked how well she eats, BGSU student Chelsea Bates stated, “The only time I really have quality food is when my mom brings up some when she visits.”

With the prices of food around Bowling Green State University’s campus at a ridiculous high, it’s difficult for students to eat well while on a budget.

With two weeks still left in the semester, Freshman Ayesha explains, “I’m constantly borrowing others’ meal plan money.  It’s difficult.”

Though students may have these different meal plans, the price of food on campus can make it very difficult to eat well.

Most of the places for students to get food are either dining halls or convenience stores.  However, the prices at these locations may be significantly higher than one would find at a local grocery store.

It’s difficult sometimes, to understand why convenience stores would cost more.  Jill Jaksetic, a student manager at the on-campus convenience stores, stated that there are many reasons why prices are so high.

Jaksetic explained that grocery stores have the capacity to buy in bulk, where convenience stores generally do not.  She stated, “Because they can receive huge shipments in at a time, they get charged less by the companies they purchase the food from.”

Jaksetic also explained that the company that owns BGSU convenience stores, Chartwells, is under contract to only buy from a specific distributor, Coremark.  Because their locations are few and far between, it costs them more to deliver.

“Grocery stores have their own shipping methods…that helps them cut the costs to get the food to their stores from the vendors,” Jaksetic explained.

Because of these reasons, the BGSU convenience stores must raise their prices to make a profit.

Though students at BGSU have a meal plan that allow their meals to be paid through their tuition, students are still paying more for their food.

Until the issues that raise prices are resolved, they will remain that way for students for years to come.

Me in my hometown of Augusta, GA

Hey y’all. My name is Melissa Moon and I’m a Senior at Bowling Green State University. I major in Communications with a Journalism minor. This blog is going to be about eating well on a tight budget: how to make creative and delicious food from inexpensive and household items. I’m going to be adding recipes, useful items that I may find on the internet, reviews of some restaurants in Bowling Green, and even recreations of my favorite dishes, but in an inexpensive way.

I’ve been cooking since I was in high school, yet I recently discovered my love for it when I moved into my own apartment a couple of years ago. Living on my own made me discover ways to eat well without spending a lot of money, and using what it was that I had in the pantry. I’ve come up with many interesting dishes over the past couple of years, using whatever I had around. Because of this, my mom gave me the nickname of “the pantry chef.” This is, as you can imagine, where the name of my blog came from.

A little bit more about me is that after I graduate, I’m planning on going to the French Culinary Institute in New York City. In December, I went for my first visit to the school, and it was absolutely amazing. The staff was very hospitable and made me feel at home right away. They have invited me back for a second visit to be able to sit in on a few classes to get a true feel of what it is like to attend the school. I’m planning to make that second trip in May, right after graduation. As you can see, my passion for food is quite strong and I love to share it with others. I hope y’all enjoy what I have to share with you, as well!

Hey y’all! Here’s Paula Deen making everyone’s favorite dish, mashed potatoes!  Here is a very easy place to start with homestyle cooking.  Enjoy!