This article reports that students are likely to see a sharp increase in the cost of on-campus meal plans this fall, as rising food prices have sent some college food-service operations into deficits and have forced many to get creative with their fixed budgets. As the cost of food has soared, many dining halls have focused more on reducing portions and less on eliminating popular dishes. Others have put an emphasis on marketing to off-campus students instead of decreasing portion sizes or options for students. Food prices outpaced inflation from the 2006 fiscal year to the 2007 fiscal year according to the latest figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In recent months, the cost of all types of food has skyrocketed, especially as gas prices have made transporting items more expensive.