[Steve W]

Let me explain a few things to those that think FIRST is responsible for the food costs. The arenas have contracts with food vendors. These contracts are for ALL events held at the arena. First has NO imput into cost or quality of the food. The arena gets paid by the food providers for the right to sell food in that location. The best bidder wins. That usually means the provider that gives the most back to the arena. Prices are then set so that the provider makes money. You then go to the arena and pay what they ask ( like the $3.00 for a soft ice cream cone I bought) or don't. If no one bought then they would have to do something about it.
Some arenas will allow you to bring in your own food at a cost. i know for a fact that the numbers that I heard were nuts.

Secondly, the food provided for volunteers and invited guests are provided by the same catering company that provides the venue food. FIRST does not bring in their own food. Being a volunteer at many different venues, I can safely say that some food IS better than you buy in the stands BUT some is no better and sometimes ...

To finish off, PLEASE do not try and smuggle food etc into venues. When people are caught it sets a very bad example of FIRST. When I have asked people if they have food and they give me their word that they don't, I would like to believe them. It only takes a few to distroy trust for all. Also when it was said that they look the other way when you are caught, this is wrong. The organizers of the event (Volunteers) hear all about it and see the distrust building with the venues. This can cause the venues to consider raising rates for following years which means you pay more. It's all a cycle so lets try and stop the bad by following the restrictions set out by FIRST.