Students in line for food

Food support hub

The University of Ottawa, the University of Ottawa Students’ Union and other partners are coming together to help uOttawa students find food resources on and off campus. You can access supports including meal programs and workshops, food banks, food discounts and emergency assistance.

Looking for food support?

Student food bank

UOSU Food Bank (Intended for undergraduate students)

Emergency food support (available once per month per student)

  • uOttawa (UCU 0022‍, 85 University)
  • Drop-in during opening hours. Bring student card and reusable bags or boxes.
  • Visits should provide enough food for a week.

Visit the UOSU website for more information.

UOSU Fed up

UOSU Fed Up Campaign (Intended for undergraduate students)

Free food events! 

Alternating weeks: fresh produce markets and hot lunches

  • uOttawa (UCU Terminus, 85 University)
  • Tues. noon to 1 p.m.
  • Line up and wait to be served.
  • Students can rent the Deja Vu kitchenette (free). Final exam period: free hot meal (collab with St. Albans Church). Winter exam period: free produce stand in Morisset Library.

Learn more on the Fed Up Campaign. 

Students in Wellness Lounge

Wellness Lounge — free snacks

Free snacks in the morning and afternoon (while supplies last)

  • uOttawa (UCU 205, 85 University)
  • Drop-in and ask a Wellness Lounge volunteer if any snacks are available.
  • Snacks limited to 20 to 30 a day. The Student Health and Wellness Centre also gives out free snacks.

Visit the Wellness Lounge webpage for hours of operation.

Students looking through resources and snacks at the Student Health and Wellness Centre

Student Health and Wellness Centre — free snacks

Free snacks in the morning and afternoon (while supplies last)

  • uOttawa (Minto N203, 801 King Edward)
  • Drop-in and ask a wellness assistant if any snacks are available.

Visit the Student Health and Wellness Centre webpage for hours of operation. 

Food inside a refrigerator

Wellness Lounge — community fridge

Free, prepackaged foods from around campus about to expire or just past their best before date but still safe to consume

  • uOttawa (UCU 205, 85 University)
  • Drop-in and ask a Wellness Lounge volunteer to look in the fridge.
  • Contents and quantity of food widely vary.

Visit the Wellness Lounge webpage for hours of operation. 

Students painting in the Wellness Lounge

Wellness events and workshops

Free workshops on healthy eating, cooking and eating on a budget. Take away the food you make.

  • uOttawa (UCU 205, ‍85 University)
  • A mix of registration and drop-in events
  • Some events take place in the UCU Agora.

Discover the Wellness workshops and events schedule. 

Students heading to a snack table

Exam snack hand out

During exams, free snack stations are set up in Montpetit or in the library by the Student Wellness team.

  • uOttawa (first floor of Morisset, Montpetit lobby)
  • Drop-in during final exams
Friel residence from the outside

Meal@Friel (Intended for students living in Friel residence)

Hot community meals provided in partnership with St. Alban’s Church.

  • 240 Friel St.
  • Drop-in (every two weeks)
Student athletes uOttawa

Gee-Gees Food Lounge (Intended for student athletes)

A space at Minto Sports Complex for free meals, communal cooking, cooking workshops, and socializing

  • uOttawa (Minto Sports Complex, 801 King Edward Ave.)
  • Weekly
Mashkawazìwogamig Indigenous Resource Centre

Mashkawazìwogamig Indigenous Resource Centre food supports (for Indigenous students)

Weekly soup and bannock. Fully stocked kitchen, freezer and pantry. Community meals and cultural programming.

  • uOttawa (145 Séraphin Marion)
  • Drop-in every Thursday (Sept. to Apr.)

Learn more about the Mashkawazìwogamig Indigenous Resource Centre.

Free Food Alert logo

Free Food Alert

App: Hosts notify subscribers of leftover food from events held on campus available for pickup.

  • Various locations on campus
  • No regular schedule, drop-in

Learn more about Free Food Alert.

Community gardens uOttawa

Community Gardens (Intended for uOttawa community)

Garden plots across campus available for the season.

  • On King Edward Ave. and throughout campus
  • Late May to Oct.
  • Complete the waitlist form. Successful applicants are contacted in mid-March.

Learn more about Community gardens. 

Herbs

Edible Landscapes (Intended for uOttawa community)

Fruit-bearing bushes and trees planted around campus for the community.

  • Beds in front of LMX, near the UCU Dining Hall entrance and near the Morisset library
  • Late May to Oct.
  • Drop-inEd

Read uOttawa takes a fruitful leap forward to learn more.