2008 Woodie Awards
Soda prices pop the top on campus
Jackie Edgerly
Issue date: 1/26/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
College tuition and gas prices aren't the only things costing consumers more.
Kirkwood Community College students have also seen an increase in the price of bottled beverages. What's the reason? Increased transportation costs due to high gas prices have forced distributors to up their profits.
Over the winter break, Sammy's Kafé, in Iowa Hall, and vending machines on campus, provided by Brokaw Vending, have increased the price of bottled drinks from $1 to $1.25. Twenty-five cents seems like a lot all at once to people like freshman Rachel Buschelnan, an undecided major, who added, "especially since you can get a 2 liter of pop for 99 cents."
However, Marlene Wilson, food service coordinator at Sammys Kafé said this is the first time Sammy's Kafé has increased the price of bottled beverages in three years.
The price increase by Brokaw Vending and Sammy's Kafé was the result of raised prices by the bottlers such as Pepsi Bottling Group. Brian Helle, Brokaw Vending's territory sales manager, observed that beverages from the vending machines are still, "a lot cheaper than in convenience stores."
The Greenhouse Grille is one place at Kirkwood that did not raise the price of bottled beverages but only because it has always sold drinks in its eatery for $1.25. Ray Offerman, manager of the Greenhouse Grille, said, "We are taking the hit this time."
Offerman also added that they may have to raise their prices next year.
The Greenhouse Grille isn't the only business taking a hit; students and faculty at Kirkwood are the ones paying the price.
While some students don't mind or may not really notice the price increase, other students are frustrated that they have to pay that extra quarter. Emily Pickart, a second semester Communications Media/ Public Relations major said, "Now you have to carry an extra quarter."
There is a way to be more economical in spending. At Wal-Mart a six-pack of 24-ounce bottles of Pepsi sells for $3.28. Per ounce this costs about 2 cents an ounce, while a 20-ounce bottle of Pepsi at $1.25 costs consumers 6 cents an ounce.
PepsiCo's beverage unit is directly affiliated with Pepsi Bottling Group and therefore share in cost and benefit. Pepsi's competitor, The Coca-Cola Company, handles its bottling differently.
According to Coca-Cola.com, "We manufacture beverage concentrates and syrups…which we sell to bottling and canning operations, distributors, fountain wholesalers and some fountain retailers."
Coca-Cola also sells to bottling companies that are independent of The Coca-Cola Company.
Thus, the beverage manufacturers sell for more to the bottlers, who in turn sell for more to the distributors, who in turn sell for more to us.
Kirkwood Community College students have also seen an increase in the price of bottled beverages. What's the reason? Increased transportation costs due to high gas prices have forced distributors to up their profits.
Over the winter break, Sammy's Kafé, in Iowa Hall, and vending machines on campus, provided by Brokaw Vending, have increased the price of bottled drinks from $1 to $1.25. Twenty-five cents seems like a lot all at once to people like freshman Rachel Buschelnan, an undecided major, who added, "especially since you can get a 2 liter of pop for 99 cents."
However, Marlene Wilson, food service coordinator at Sammys Kafé said this is the first time Sammy's Kafé has increased the price of bottled beverages in three years.
The price increase by Brokaw Vending and Sammy's Kafé was the result of raised prices by the bottlers such as Pepsi Bottling Group. Brian Helle, Brokaw Vending's territory sales manager, observed that beverages from the vending machines are still, "a lot cheaper than in convenience stores."
The Greenhouse Grille is one place at Kirkwood that did not raise the price of bottled beverages but only because it has always sold drinks in its eatery for $1.25. Ray Offerman, manager of the Greenhouse Grille, said, "We are taking the hit this time."
Offerman also added that they may have to raise their prices next year.
The Greenhouse Grille isn't the only business taking a hit; students and faculty at Kirkwood are the ones paying the price.
While some students don't mind or may not really notice the price increase, other students are frustrated that they have to pay that extra quarter. Emily Pickart, a second semester Communications Media/ Public Relations major said, "Now you have to carry an extra quarter."
There is a way to be more economical in spending. At Wal-Mart a six-pack of 24-ounce bottles of Pepsi sells for $3.28. Per ounce this costs about 2 cents an ounce, while a 20-ounce bottle of Pepsi at $1.25 costs consumers 6 cents an ounce.
PepsiCo's beverage unit is directly affiliated with Pepsi Bottling Group and therefore share in cost and benefit. Pepsi's competitor, The Coca-Cola Company, handles its bottling differently.
According to Coca-Cola.com, "We manufacture beverage concentrates and syrups…which we sell to bottling and canning operations, distributors, fountain wholesalers and some fountain retailers."
Coca-Cola also sells to bottling companies that are independent of The Coca-Cola Company.
Thus, the beverage manufacturers sell for more to the bottlers, who in turn sell for more to the distributors, who in turn sell for more to us.