Students and staff at University of Oulu demand better food quality following petition

Nearly two thousand students and staff members at the University of Oulu are calling for better food quality on campus. A petition gathered 1,700 signatures in just over a week this October, highlighting widespread concerns about the quality of the meals served. According to petition organizer Greta Mäntykangas, both students and staff have expressed dissatisfaction with the food, describing it as monotonous and at times even subpar.

This concern has been exacerbated by a series of tenders and complaints regarding university dining services this year. The latest development occurred in October when the university announced Juvenes Oy and Sodexo Oy as the new suppliers for student meals. Previous provider Uniresta was excluded from the competition and has lodged a complaint against the decision.

The main criterion for the tender process was price, which raises fears about potential declines in food quality. Mäntykangas noted that, in students’ views, the current quality is already lacking. A significant issue is the nutritional value of the food, with inadequate protein levels particularly affecting health-conscious students.

While students are still eating at the campus venues, the situation remains of concern, and an increasing number are opting for alternative dining choices. Uniresta’s CEO, Kaija-Liisa Silvennoinen, stated that while there hasn’t been an overwhelming amount of criticism regarding food quality, she believes it is necessary to raise the maximum prices for student meals to maintain quality as ingredient costs rise. The union representative at Uniresta, Piia Kauppila, confirmed no complaints have been raised about food quality, though some dishes have been removed from the menu due to rising costs.

Mäntykangas clarified that the petition was initiated as private citizens, and not in any official capacity related to the university’s student union.