diff --git a/events/lunch_buddy.js b/events/lunch_buddy.js
index 7a9fcdae..4a8499be 100644
--- a/events/lunch_buddy.js
+++ b/events/lunch_buddy.js
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
 const { EmbedBuilder, ButtonBuilder, ActionRowBuilder } = require("discord.js");
 const cron = require("node-cron");
-const lunchBuddyLocations = require("../data/lunch_buddy_locations.json");
-const config = require("../config/lunch_buddy.json");
+const fs = require("fs");
+
+const lunchBuddyLocations = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync("./data/lunch_buddy_locations.json"));
+const config = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync("./config/lunch_buddy.json"));
 
 const maxRowButtons = 4;
 const areaButtonCustomId = "AreaButton";