Students are unhappy with the quality of food on campus – some skip lunch completely
OYY’s survey highlighted the drop in food quality and shortcomings in special diets
More than half of the respondents have noticed shortcomings in the quality of food. In OYY’s survey, the answers highlighted the drop of food quality. Many respondents felt that the food wasn’t filling, and they were hungry again soon after eating. Many would pay more for a better quality lunch – a theme OYY pointed out during the competitive tendering of the restaurants.
More than half of the respondents have noticed shortcomings in the quality of food.
Restaurant operators at Linnanmaa and Kontinkangas campuses changed in the Autumn of 2025, and OYY collected feedback at the end of 2025. The survey had 1229 respondents. Respondents logged in with their university account, which means only the university students were able to answer and one person could only fill the survey once.
Shortcomings in the offering and signage of special diets was worrying. Almost half of those who have a special diet thought that they were considered poorly. There were issues in e.g. the special diet food running out, unclear signs of the ingredients and lack of options. Especially those who had several different allergies or sensitivities, had trouble finding any meal suitable for them.
In addition to the quality, lack of time negatively influenced students’ possibilities to have lunch during their day of studying. 44 % of the respondents said that too short lunch breaks influenced their opportunity to have lunch at the campus. Biggest issues were long queues and lunch breaks that were too short or completely missing from their schedule.
Lack of time negatively influenced students’ possibilities to have lunch during their day of studying.
The students wish for the food to be of a good quality, domestic and climate friendly. Domestic products were important for over 80 % of the respondents and approximately 70 % said climate friendliness is either important or very important for them. The restaurant operators also got some good feedback. The cleanliness and especially customer service were performing well.
Student lunch is an important part of everyday wellbeing, and OYY will use the results of this survey in our advocacy work. Preliminary results have already been shared with the restaurant operators, and the answers will be examined in detail in the restaurant working groups.