For many Canadians, rising costs of food, housing and other essentials are stretching limited budgets, with some having to skip meals or not eat as well as they should. It’s a reality facing many students on university campuses, including uOttawa.
A collaborative effort to make food support easier to access
“The University community is rallying to help students in need by making sure they know how to access meal programs, food banks, food discounts, workshops and emergency assistance through its programs, services and partners,” says Marcel Labelle, uOttawa associate vice-president, student services.
“Collaboration is a key ingredient as we enact this strategy. It’s a sad reality that the complex societal issue of affordability and food security affects thousands of our students. We’re seeking to ease the situation with a more co-ordinated, equity-driven response that supports academic success.”
Elnaz Enayatpour, UOSU president, says, “As the cost of living and rents are rising, so are the lineups for our food bank. The UOSU Food Bank has seen a 400% increase in demand over the past four years. Some students are struggling to balance nutrition, budgets, academics and well-being. This commitment is an important step towards ensuring more students can access healthy food.”
Actions planned for this year
- The online Food Support Hub, which helps students find food resources on and off campus
- An extra 2,685 hot meals for Lees and Roger Guindon campuses through the UOSU Fed Up campaign
- 2,200 more bags of produce at the UOSU’s free produce market — double what was provided last year
- A capacity expansion for the UOSU Food Bank, adding 377 more food hampers
- A pay-what-you-can produce market to be piloted, with a target of providing 1,900 food hampers
- A 50% increase in Wellness Lounge snacks
- Free produce distribution to around 100 students at the Mashkawazìwogamig Indigenous Resource Centre, in addition to its soup and bannock lunches and other events
Food security strategy
The new plan brings partners from across the University community together to strengthen existing programs and improve access to food support.
The plan is part of a University-wide, five-year food security strategy. It will strengthen food security among students and support their health, well-being and academic success.
“Previously, information about where to access food support was siloed, says Rachelle Clark, senior director, student wellness. “The new Food Support Hub centralizes resources, making it easier for students to access help when they need it. Part of our strategy involves tracking progress as we strengthen access to food support and examine what else can be done.”
The University Advancement Office will also step up annual Giving Tuesday and Giving Day fundraising drives. These drives ask donors and the wider University community to support students, including through funds for food security. Over the past three years, more than $160,000 has been raised for initiatives that support student access to food.
A food security network with representation from the UOSU, the GSAÉD, faculties and services across the University will oversee the implementation of the plan.
Javier Armando Porras Gil, GSAED governance commissioner, says: “Gathering the heads of various departments together within this Food Security Network is an amazing initiative. It allows for better collaboration.”
From student advocacy and fact-finding to strategic action
The food security strategy has its roots in Healthy Plates, a collaborative project launched by uOttawa, the UOSU and the Ottawa Neighbourhood Study at Bruyère Health Research Institute in 2024–2025. Healthy Plates began after the UOSU raised concerns about the number of students asking for food support.
The project examined student food insecurity on campus. It led to the Healthy Plates Summit in October 2025, which brought all partners together to co-create a practical strategy.
“A fall 2025 survey of graduate students found that almost half of respondents had cut meal sizes or skipped meals once or more in the past 12 months due to the cost of food,” Javier says. “One in five reported going a whole day without eating due to lack of money. The GSAED offers grocery gift cards to graduate students experiencing food insecurity and has expanded food support for students traveling to academic conferences.”
“For some students, food insecurity can affect their energy levels, motivation and, ultimately, how well they do in school,” says Elnaz. “That’s why this initiative is so important and why the UOSU is so proud to see a food support plan come to life.”
What is food insecurity?
Health Canada defines food insecurity as “the inability to acquire or consume an adequate diet quality or sufficient quantity of food in socially acceptable ways, or the uncertainty that one will be able to do so.”
According to Statistics Canada, there are three levels of food insecurity: marginal, moderate and severe. Those experiencing severe food insecurity might miss meals, reduce their food intake or, in extreme cases, go days without food.
Public Health Ontario has reported that household food insecurity rose from 17% in 2019 to 25% in 2024. The steepest increases were among those facing moderate or severe insecurity.
Many post-secondary students in Canada struggle to afford balanced or nutritious meals, and some even skip meals due to lack of funds. Over 56% of post-secondary students in Canada grapple with food insecurity, according to a 2021 Meal Exchange multi-campus survey.
The 2025 Canadian Campus Wellbeing Survey found that 42% of uOttawa students are food insecure to some degree, 18% are considered moderately food insecure and 13% are considered severely food insecure.
Food insecurity remains a significant challenge, but this shared commitment to addressing it reflects an ongoing effort to build a caring campus where all students can succeed.
“Some students are struggling to balance nutrition, budgets, academics and well-being. This commitment is an important step towards ensuring more students can access healthy food.”
Elnaz Enayatpour
— University of Ottawa Student Union president
