Sixty-three dollars and eighty-four cents.

That’s how much University of Iowa first-year student Madeline Anklam spent at the Iowa City Target last week. She bought six items.

From lemonade to a tub of grapes, Anklam had to put many items back on the shelves in fear of exceeding her $200 monthly budget. Like many other UI students, she struggles with grocery costs.

First-year students, in particular, face added challenges when grocery shopping. Without access to a car, they often resort to the Target on Washington Street — convenient, but not cheap. Compared to larger discount retailers like Walmart and Aldi, Target’s prices can be significantly higher, especially in a college town where affordability is crucial.

Despite these concerns, Target remains a go-to destination for many students simply because of its proximity, particularly for those without transportation. Other options, like the Bread Garden Market and New Pioneer Food Co-op, are accessible but expensive.

College towns are known for steep prices at on-campus stores. A study conducted at Ohio State University found groceries to be 40 to 60 percent cheaper at Walmart than at on-campus markets. Of university respondents, 40 percent reported struggling to afford well-balanced meals.

At the UI, students have access to meal plans, but still, these come at a high cost, ranging from $850 to $2,245 per semester. This leaves students routinely buying food from local stores, but Target isn’t the most sustainable option.

Second-year student Amara Jones, who relied on Target for her groceries during her first year, understands this firsthand.

“It was close enough to Burge Residence Hall for a quick shop, but it was always draining my bank account,” she said. “This year, I have access to a car, so I can drive five minutes to Aldi or Walmart. On average, I pay $10 less for my groceries compared to what I would have spent at the [Iowa City] Target.”

While Aldi and Walmart are known for their lower prices, they’re also less convenient for students living on or near campus. In Iowa City, these stores are located a significant distance from campus, with Aldi a 45-minute walk from downtown. For students like Jones, access to a car makes all the difference. For many first-year students, however, a car simply isn’t an option.

First-year student Angad Kapoor echoed similar frustrations to other students with regards to Target’s selection.

“I don’t know why we need half a floor of alcohol at that Target. Instead, the store could offer more types of groceries or just other essential items,” Kapoor said.

This observation highlights a larger issue: The priorities of retailers in college towns don’t always align with students’ needs. While alcohol and non-essential items might sell well, students are left struggling to find affordable groceries to meet their nutritional needs.

College students are already financially stretched thin, facing the pressures of tuition, housing, textbooks, and other living expenses. The last thing they should have to worry about is the cost of basic food. Students shouldn’t have to choose between eating healthy and paying rent.

One potential solution is to bring an Aldi or Walmart closer to campus, providing students with more affordable options within walking distance. However, the question remains: Where would such a store be built?

Iowa City, like many college towns, already has marketplaces and retail spaces that could be repurposed to include more affordable groceries. Repurposing existing spaces could provide a sustainable solution without new construction while making grocery shopping easier for students.

Expanding places like Clinton Street Market or Union Station with more grocery staples — such as fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy, canned goods, and affordable meal kits — could help alleviate students’ financial strain.

Alternatively, Target could lower prices to become a more viable choice for students on tight budgets.

Ultimately, something needs to change.