Rising food costs across the nation have led to increased menu prices at university eateries.

David Annis, executive director of Housing and Food Services, said food prices have gone up about 7 percent over the last year, forcing the university to pass along the costs to students.

“The last thing you want to do is raise the price,” he said.

The cost of milk has doubled, he said. So have the basic ingredients of pasta and pizza.

“It’s the things that students eat a lot of,” Annis said.

Aside from pizza and pasta, Annis said a 35-pound case of frying oil that cost $24 last year now costs $40.

At Crossroads Restaurant, located in Oklahoma Memorial Union, a hamburger costs 25 cents more than it did last year.

As he sat in the food court Wednesday, chemical engineering sophomore Chase Ainsworth said rising prices at other restaurants balance the sticker shock.

“These costs are about the same as off campus,” said Ainsworth. “It’s not any big deal to me.”

Annis said the university sets food prices with area restaurants in mind. For example, the prices in Chick-fil-A were increased slightly because OU’s franchise does not charge sales tax from the base price, which caused another local Chick-fil-A to complain, he said.

About a third of Housing and Food Services’ costs can be attributed to food prices, and the rest is split between payroll and operating costs. Annis said the department tries to keep costs low to keep its customers happy.

Overall, Annis said there have not been many complaints about the menu-price increases that were implemented across campus last month.

“I don’t think it’s hit them all that hard,” he said.

Food Services is an auxiliary department, which means it must pay for its operations. The department receives no money from the university or from the state, said Annis.

Students on meal plans are also facing higher costs. Lauren Royston, marketing and public relations specialist for Housing and Food Services, said meal plans cost 4 percent more than last year.

The 5 percent discount for items purchased with Sooner Sense also has been terminated, which will bring in an estimated $16,000, said Annis. OU terminated the discount after the tactic failed to increase usage over a two-year period.

In response to increased prices at university eateries, meal exchanges are now worth more. Meals off campus, are now worth 50 cents more, or $6.50.

The price of cash items at Couch Cafeteria has not increased.