The Buttery Food Court, the Coffee Dock in Áras an Phiarsaigh and the Dining Hall all saw an increase in prices during the summer. This was the first time Trinity’s catering department increased their prices in eight years.
Price increases have affected a significant proportion of the food these outlets provide. In The Buttery, for example, the price of sausages and chips have increased by 40c to €3.90, an 11% increase, while the cost of soup with a roll has been raised by 45c, to €3.45, a 13% increase.
The Catering Manager at Trinity College, Moira O’Brien, cited increasing costs to the catering department as the primary reason for the increase in prices. Speaking to Trinity News, O’Brien said: “Increasing overhead and food costs over the last few years meant that we could no longer continue to absorb these costs going forward.”
Trinity’s catering department is part of the Commercial Revenue Unit, which was founded in 2014 to diversify Trinity’s revenue streams and increase profits for the university. The profits made by the catering services go towards College’s central funds to support academic and research activities.
As well as the outlets mentioned above, the catering department also oversees the 1592 Restaurant, Commons, and a banqueting department. In addition, other food services are provided for students on campus by external partners. Westland Eats in the Hamilton Building and the newly refurbished Perch Café are managed by external companies.
