Standing in a line that seems as if it stretches miles, I patiently wait for the doors to open and invite me in. When I am finally within those four snack-filled walls, I look at the plethora of snacks and drinks with a dreamlike wonder.

In mere seconds, my trance is crushed when I read the price of a 20-ounce bottle of Gatorade (an astounding $3) and promptly walk out.

The C-Store at Coppell High School provides snacks, drinks, alternative lunches and breakfast for its customers, but the prices are far more than what I consider fair. I should not walk into the C-Store to get lunch and a drink and leave in financial ruin.

Many students share similar grievances pertaining to how and why prices are set in such a way. These concerns have reached cafeteria manager Larry Walker, who orders supplies and oversees all aspects of the kitchen aside from pricing.

“Inflation has been very bad over the past couple of years so our input cost more which causes our prices to rise,” Walker said.

Due to this fluctuation, I am seeing much higher prices in the C-Store, leaving me thinking one thing.

This stinks.

C-Store pricing is set by the Child Nutrition office. It determines prices relative to the cost of items in the grocery store which are subject to change due to inflation.

“If somebody doesn’t want the traditional lunch option, they can go to the C-Store and get something that’s different rather than getting a regular lunch because we have around 50-70 different items to choose from such as sandwiches, candy, chips, protein bars and different drinks,” Walker said.

Convenience is a selling point for me, especially because I get dropped off and do not have a car that can take me before school to pick up some snacks. This minor inconvenience should not cost me as much as it does.

I frequent the C-Store because it is closer to where I sit during my lunch break, but at this point I might start getting my steps in and stopping by the vending machines where Lunchables are half the price.

While the factors behind the high prices are not fully in our control, students can be more mindful of their purchases. When going to the C-Store it is vital to keep in mind that snacks are plentiful but reasonable prices are few and far between.

Follow Cato (@catosaysstuff) and @CHSCampusNews on X.