Student unions urge change in meal contract bidding process at University of Oulu

The Student Union of the University of Oulu (OYY) and the Student Union of Oulu University of Applied Sciences (OSAKO) are advocating for school administrations to avoid basing student meal contracts solely on price. Students are concerned that a new bidding process could further degrade food quality. University student Sini Murto expressed, “If the food quality declines significantly, I would prefer to prepare diverse and nutritious meals myself.”

In the previous bidding process, price was not a criterion; however, the Market Court mandated that the bidding be revised. Kaija-Liisa Silvennoinen, CEO of Uniresta Oy, the current service provider on the Linnanmaa campus, shares students’ concerns. She noted, “In student meals, we’re already talking about small margins, and there has been pressure to increase prices.”

According to Silvennoinen, the cost of raw materials is currently about €2.50 per meal, which includes salad, bread, drinks, spreads, and various warm food options. “I believe that with this cost, we can still provide a quality level that satisfies students. However, if prices need to be lowered, there is a fear that quality will decline,” she said.

Sanna Pikkujämsä, a procurement lawyer at the University of Oulu, appreciates students’ active involvement in the issue and hopes for progress toward finalizing contracts. She remarked, “This kind of back-and-forth and complaints should be resolved so we can move forward.”

In the previous bidding process, the unit price was set at €5.50 per meal according to recommendations and government regulations, leading to the exclusion of student lunches from the bidding. With student meals accounting for €12 million of a €14 million procurement, the Market Court mandated a new bidding process. Currently, Sodexo Oy operates at the Kontinkangas campus, while Uniresta Oy and Juvenes Oy serve the Linnanmaa campus. Representatives from Juvenes and Sodexo declined to comment on the ongoing bidding process. The submission deadline for offers ended last Friday, September 20.