Current alternatives

The existing food system superstructure on campus is monopolized by the Aramark corporation. This represents the sole source of competition for any means of food access and distribution. The Eggplant Collective is a student run organization managed by S&A funds and in some regards could be considered a source of competition as it does take in money that may otherwise be funneled into the meal plan based dining systems throughout the Evergreen campus. The campus bookstore is also a self sustaining operation that does not fall under the Aramark umbrella.
Aramark’s hegemony gives them an advantage; their activity on campus is subsidized by their ethically questionable contracts in private prisons across the west coast. The magnitude of their infrastructure allows them to facilitate large scale transactions with entities like Sysco. However, Aramark is also making strides to localize its food sources, seeking to improve its public image. This represents a form of competition in and of itself as Aramark attempts to tap into the available local agricultural community, a community we also seek to cooperate with as we present alternatives.

Our advantages

First and foremost, our solution wouldn’t have the ethical dilemmas of financially supporting a prison contractor. That should speak for itself. Beyond that, a new contract could avoid the lock-in that Aramark has imposed on any catering or credit/debit card transactions. Without those lock-in clauses, any organization could take credit cards on campus without having to pay a tithe to Aramark, and club meetings could advertise having food without being forced to cater through Aramark.