Hungry For Change: Post-Secondary Student Food Insecurity

Nearly two in five Canadian post-secondary students face food insecurity—and VCC’s recent survey found one in eight students accessed a community food bank in the last six months while one in nine struggled to get food for themselves or their families. On World Food Day Vancouver Community College hosted a Food Resiliency Fair with nutritious samples, hands-on workshops, and practical resources to help students stay nourished and focused. We sat down with Clayton Munro, Associate VP of Student and Enrolment Services at VCC, to unpack the findings, share what the college is doing to support students, and explore how campuses can build more food-secure communities. —Noa Nichol

Your recent survey found alarming rates of food insecurity among students. What surprised you most in the data, and what do those numbers mean for student life on campus?

Nationally, nearly 40% of post-secondary students experience food insecurity.[1] We know through our annual student surveys that at least 7-11% of our students find it difficult to access food for themselves or their families. The need is there and the number of students who struggle to access food is alarming.

How does food insecurity directly affect academic performance, retention and mental health for students at VCC? Can you share any specific student stories (anonymized) that illustrate the impact?

Vancouver Community College (VCC) strives to be a place of real learning for real change. We can only achieve this when every student has the opportunity to thrive.

Research shows food insecurity can have a significant impact on students’ physical health, academic performance, and mental wellbeing. However, people might not always realize they are food insecure. It doesn’t necessarily mean having nothing to eat—it can also mean relying on low-cost, low-nutrient foods out of necessity. For many, a diet of instant noodles or fast food isn’t about convenience but about affordability. We know students often sacrifice nutrition to stretch their budgets.

VCC works to help students access and prepare nutritious, affordable meals and students consistently share how much of a difference it makes. It improves their health, reduces stress, and allows them to focus more on their studies.

VCC’s recent Food Resiliency Fair brought together workshops, food samples and resources — what are the key lessons or takeaways you want attendees to leave with?

Food insecurity poses a huge challenge to students’ wellbeing. We hosted the Food Resiliency Fair to normalize conversations about food access, increase understanding of the challenges many students face, and highlight the support available to help those in need.

Tackling food insecurity is only possible when different sectors of our community work together to help those in need. This event was made possible through support from Gurdwara Sahib Sukh Sagar and the Guru Nanak Free Kitchen (GNFK), which provided a free, nutritious lunch for more than 400 students. This partnership demonstrates the shared commitment to support food security and community wellbeing.

Students were also given herbs to plant as a sustainable, affordable way to enhance home-cooked meals. Chef Helen from VCC’s Hospitality program led a workshop on preparing nutritious meals within a $20 budget. This showed students how to stretch ingredients further and make smart food choices, such as using eggs as a cost-effective protein source.

 What campus-based programs does VCC currently offer to address immediate food needs (food bank partnerships, meal programs, emergency funds), and how effective have they been?

At VCC, we recognize the importance of offering long-term support alongside specific activities. In recent years, VCC has expanded its food security initiatives thanks to generous community donors, the Student Union of VCC (SUVCC), and the VCC Foundation.

We recently introduced a grocery and lunch card program so students can get faster, more flexible access to food. Additionally, we’ve increased the number of on-campus food pantries, known as ‘snack shacks’. Food pantries and holiday hampers are also available in our Indigenous Gathering Spaces. Together, these initiatives are improving students’ access to nutritious food and essential resources.

How is VCC approaching longer-term food resiliency (affordable meal plans, community gardens, skill-building like cooking on a budget) rather than one-off solutions?

We know the most meaningful impact comes through collaboration. VCC works with the student union, the VCC Foundation, and the local community to create a holistic support system for students facing food insecurity. Together, we’re building a culture where students feel supported, nourished, and empowered.

Alongside supporting our students, VCC is committed to tackling food insecurity across Vancouver’s wider community. Earlier this year, VCC partnered with the Central City Foundation to host ‘Fair in the Square’ for the 17^th time—a free community event that VCC supports by preparing and serving nutritious meals for residents of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Each year, more than 3,000 people gather in Victory Square Park to connect, celebrate, and build hope together.

How will you measure the success of the Food Resiliency Fair and your broader food-security initiatives — what metrics or follow-ups are you tracking?

Key data points we monitor include the percentage of students who identify food insecurity as a source of stress and the percentage who are aware of the support available. From there, we focus on increasing campus-wide awareness of these supports. We also continually assess how to distribute funds and services as effectively as possible.

From a policy perspective, what changes at provincial or federal levels would most help post-secondary students facing food insecurity? Is VCC advocating for specific reforms?

Food insecurity is a reality for many of our students and for members of the wider community. If there is one change we’d advocate for, it’s greater teamwork both within institutions and across sectors. When we work together as a community, our ability to tackle food insecurity grows exponentially. That’s why VCC continually engages with donors, community organizations, and all levels of government to combat this challenge.

For readers who want to help right now, what are the most practical ways alumni, local businesses or individuals can support VCC students (donations, volunteering, hosting pop-ups, internships, etc.)?

The most direct way to support our students is through the VCC Foundation. This makes initiatives such as VCC’s Food Resiliency Fair and our ongoing food support programs possible. Beyond immediate relief, donor contributions build a culture of care and community that empowers students to reach their full potential—they can focus on their education without the added stress of food insecurity.

Together—with your help—we can continue to strengthen food security and build a brighter future for our students.