UCSB Student-Made App Aimed at Lowering Food Costs Faces University Concerns
UC SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – UC Santa Barbara students are feeling the pinch of food costs.
"It is pretty expensive in IV right and if you even want to go and buy a meal in the dining hall, it’s probably around $15 $16 which is really expensive," said student Quin Mcanerney of UCSB.
Josh Gabbay noticed that concern and wanted to help.
"The food options on campus aren’t great. They’re really expensive right now … so we made this app as a resource for students to access really good food for a lot cheaper," said Gabbay.
The UCSB freshman created OrtegaEats around unused dining hall swipes.
The app connects students with extra swipes to others looking for a lower-cost meal.
"I used it just now and I just got a burrito a soup and a banana. It’s a full meal for just seven dollars," said student Joshua Kim of UCSB.
"Process an order to our sellers ... we’re gonna wait till one of them excepts which should take 11 seconds ... someone already accepted it," said student Mark Mashkovich of UCSB.
Gabbay reported the app currently has at least 900 student accounts and more than 1,000 downloads.
“We haven’t made any money on the app yet it’s solely … all of our work has just been there … to help students and save money," said Gabbay.
This week, the university contacted Gabbay with concerns the app may conflict with campus dining policies.
University policies indicate meal plans are intended only for the student who purchased them and are not transferable
“The university sent me a letter basically detailing that they wanted to meet with us to discuss it since it may potentially be against student conduct," said Gabbay. “We’re looking forward to meeting them and trying to find a compromise with UCSB … because this really is a great resource for students."
Gabbay understands the school’s concerns and hopes to keep working with UCSB on other ways to support students.
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