UF is working to form its first-ever official agreement with Krishna Lunch, requiring the religious organization to clarify that its advertised meal prices are only suggested donations — not mandatory payments.
The agreement, which aims to formalize UF’s relationship with Krishna Lunch, would ensure the continued offering of free meals while allowing voluntary contributions. But Krishna leaders worry increasing transparency about the donation-based model could discourage contributions, jeopardizing the program’s long-term survival.
Krishna Lunch, which has served low-cost vegetarian meals to UF students since 1971, reported a $75,000 shortfall in revenue last year amid rising food costs. The organization temporarily raised its suggested donation per meal from $6 to $8, prompting complaints from students on social media, with some accusing Krishna of exploiting its customers and the university.
Sruti Sagar, president of Krishna House — the local Hare Krishna organization running the lunch program — said the backlash put Krishna Lunch on UF's radar and prompted administrators to seek an official agreement, known as a memorandum of understanding.
The price for a lunch has always been a suggested donation, and students can contribute what they can or volunteer in exchange for a meal. But the donation-based model isn’t advertised on the program’s website, and some students unaware of the policy may feel an expectation to pay.
The agreement to make the donation-based model more explicit could dissuade students from paying at all, and fewer contributions could shut down the lunch program, Sagar said.
“We’re trying to tell the students and the university… if the students pitch in, we are able to produce this meal; if students don’t pitch in, we could close very soon,” Sagar said. “We might be gone by next year.”
Sagar said he hopes the agreement, which is still in its early stages, can strike a balance between transparency and showing students their donations are needed to sustain the program.
Economic pressures have compounded Krishna’s challenges. Krishna’s auto and property insurance costs have doubled over the past two years, according to Sagar, and rising food prices have pushed annual expenses to nearly $830,000 in 2024 — down from over $1 million in 2023 when Krishna was preparing more meals.
Krishna has lost over $89,000 in the past two years, according to Sagar. To keep up with the costs, Krishna will be holding a fundraiser in May.
“It’s only adding up every year, and everything is getting expensive,” Sagar said. “If students stop giving, that’s actually a bigger threat to Krishna Lunch.”
Still, he said the agreement is a good thing because it solidifies the relationship between UF and Krishna, and he’s optimistic the shutdown won’t happen.
“I have faith that the University of Florida will keep the lunch program going,” he said. “We would like to go on forever. We just really want to be there, contributing to student life and to the university to the best of our capacity.”
Bob Cohen, a former Krishna board member, said Krishna’s agreement with UF is primarily intended to formalize long-standing unofficial arrangements, particularly regarding insurance requirements. There is no “disagreement or discrepancy” between Krishna and the university, Cohen said. The agreement could be completed by this summer, he added.
The university didn’t answer The Alligator’s questions about the agreement’s terms and why it was drafted. Business Affairs Director of Communications Amy Armstrong wrote in an email that UF “values its long standing association with the Hare Krishna organization” and “[looks] forward to this tradition continuing.”
Jonathan Knapp, Krishna Lunch’s plaza manager, is less optimistic about the agreement. Knapp said some of UF’s proposed terms, including banning meal ticket bundles, could make it “almost impossible” to keep serving meals five days a week.
“They pretty much are trying to ask us to be just an open free-for-all — anybody [can] just come and eat and isn't expected to give any type of compensation,” he said. “I want the university to understand how valued we are by the students, because I don't think they get that. …We're there to try to serve [the students] and sustain ourselves in our service.”
Several students said they would continue to pay for Krishna meals even if it became explicitly free. Others saw UF’s call for transparency as a much-needed change to Krishna Lunch’s business model.
Vidyanand Pasunuri, a 23-year-old information systems graduate student from India, said he eats Krishna lunch every day because the food “feels like home.” He said he’d continue to donate even if it were more clear that the meals are free.
“It’ll actually help them in putting up good food if we donate more,” he said. “I’m not the only person who eats here every single day. If it shuts down, it’s gonna affect everyone’s meal prep.”
Sydney Hinton, a 19-year-old art sophomore, said Krishna provides students with a convenient, affordable meal option, and she’d be “really sad” if Krishna shut down. She said, like Krishna, students have been affected by inflation, too.
“It’s really nourishing food, and it’s so cheap,” she said. “I feel like in college, it’s hard to get a good meal even if you want to. It’s so expensive to go and get good groceries.”
Hinton said initially, she didn’t understand the price of a meal was only a suggested donation since it felt like she had to pay. She said clarifying that aspect “would be cool” but noted aside from taking the occasional free meal, she’d probably still donate.
Lauren Manganiello, a 26-year-old UF medical school fourth year, said tighter control of the organization by the university could help keep the suggested donation price fair. She said she was upset by the price increase earlier this year, arguing it should be $5.
“Eight's too much for beans and rice,” she said. “You can’t be taking advantage of people.”
Contact Grace McClung at gmcclung@alligator.org. Follow her on X @gracenmclung
Grace McClung is a third-year journalism major and the university administration reporter for The Alligator. In her free time, Grace can be found running, going to the beach and writing poetry.
