Food security for students
Do you need help getting enough food?
What is food security?
Available: There is always enough food for all people
Adequate: All people can have nutritious food that meets their physical, emotional, and spiritual need
Acceptable: All food is produced and consumed in culturally-appropriate, sustainable, and dignified ways
Accessibility: All people an eat well, free from physical, economic, social, or political barriers
Agency: All people understand, benefit from, and can make changes to the food system.
Being food secure means having reliable, stable, permanent and affordable access to a sufficient quantity of nutritious food. In 2021, Maclean’s reported that approximately 40 per cent of post-secondary students in Canada are food insecure – so, if you find yourself in this position, you’re not alone.
Available Supports
The following resources have been made available to students to improve food security, and support student success:
Access to affordable food
Find a selection of subsidized and available food items for students
The Fresh Fruit Initiative, provided by Student Experience and Support, provides offices with a bowl of fresh fruit each week for students to grab. It is the goal of this initiative to provide accessible, and nutritious snacks for the campus community! Apples and oranges are available in the following offices:
- Life Design Hub (MSC 171)
- Student Union Main Office (MSC 251)
- International Student Services (MSC 275)
- Writing Symbols Lodge (MSC 390Z)
- Student Wellness Services (MSC 370)
- Women’s Resource Centre (MSC 482)
- Faith and Spirituality Centre (MSC 487)
- Student Accessibility Services (MSC 452)
- Student Success Centre (TFDL 3rd floor)
The Students' Union Campus Food Bank is a depot for the Good Food Box program, run under the Community Kitchen Program of Calgary where anyone can purchase boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables at an affordable price.
Box Options (please note that weights are approximate):
- Small Box: $30
15-20lbs* of fruits and vegetables - Medium Box: $35
25-30lbs* of fruits and vegetables - Large Box: $40
35-40lbs* of fruits and vegetables
Orders can be made at the SU Campus Food Bank/Volunteer Services Office. Cash only and must bring payment at the time of order.
Shop an assortment of groceries offered at affordable prices at the Campus Food Hub. Products are subsidized by the SU Quality Money program to support accessibility to good food for students.
Also, Enjoy $1 coffee and tea during opening hours.
Opening hours:
- Tuesdays 1 – 6 p.m.
- Wednesdays 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Thursdays 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Credit and debit cards are accepted. No cash, please. Bring your own bag, please.
Wednesdays, Noon – 2 p.m.
Get a bowl of hearty soup and a bun for only $2 at the Campus Food Hub.
The soup menu changes weekly and we try to meet dietary restrictions when possible. Credit and debit cards are accepted. No cash, please.
Enjoy a delicious $3 vegan meal option at The Den, available for both dine-in and to-go
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Thursdays, 9 – 11 a.m.
An easy and affordable way for students to fuel up for the day. Offerings include:
- $3 Smoothies | flavour changes weekly
- $3 Grab and Go | mix and match fruit/hard-boiled egg/toast (choice of coffee or tea included)
Credit and debit cards are accepted. No cash, please.
Access to food relief
Find a selection of available resources for those seeking relief from food insecurity
The SU Campus Food Bank offers a year-round emergency food relief service to UCalgary’s campus community. This relief is provided through nutritionally-sound hampers assembled in accordance with the Canada Food Guide. The SU Campus Food Bank also provides access to emergency snacks, and the Good Food Box program (affordable produce) and can pass along information regarding food relief resources available both on and off-campus.
To speak confidentially to one of our volunteers about your food security needs, call 403.220.8599 or email foodbank@ucalgary.ca.
The Students' Greatest Needs fund initiative provides eligible students with financial support through gift cards that can be used toward groceries, bus passes, and other basic needs.
Funding is not guaranteed and is a one-time disbursement. Exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
To access this fund, students must be referred by a Student Support Advisor through Student Wellness Services. Students can make an appointment by calling 403-210-9355 during business hours, booking online, or emailing SWSmentalhealth@ucalgary.ca.
Foothills Campus Community Pantry
Foothills Campus Community Pantry is a grassroots initiative to support the food needs of the Foothills campus community. Located in the Health Sciences Centre atrium (also known as Hippocrates Mall) at the Foothills campus, the community pantry operates on a “share what you can, take what you need” model.
GradSnacks
GradSnacks provides nutritious, portable snacks like protein bars, mixed nuts, trail mix, dehydrated apples, granola bars, and apple sauce 24 hours per day in the Zen Den at the Cumming School of Medicine.
Related resources
Discover various resources about food security on campus
The University of Calgary houses various edible gardens on its main campus where people can pick fresh fruits like apples, pears, apricots, black currents, nanking cherries and more. Harvesting these is encouraged so pick what you need. Find these gardens across campus.
Edible gardens are a Food Security initiative led by the Office of Sustainability’s Campus as a Learning Lab to increase access to healthy and nutritious food.
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Bread application
Bread is a free application that connects people with food resources in Calgary. It allows food providers to list their services, ensuring individuals and families facing food insecurity can find reliable and up-to-date information on food assistance programs.
Why should food security matter to you?
Food insecurity and insufficient nutrition can be detrimental to your academic achievement, and overall health. It can affect your memory and ability to concentrate and engage meaningfully. Increased stress, anxiety and depression are more prevalent among those experiencing food insecurity. Below you will find some on-campus resources to help keep you nourished and food secure.
Symptoms of food insecurity may look like:
- Lack of energy/weakness
- Trouble focusing
- Mood swings
- Decreased participation in class and extracurricular activities
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