Imagine worrying about your next meal while juggling classes, rent, and tuition – and then choosing not to get food support because you feel someone else needs it more. This is the reality for some post-secondary students in N.L.
In recent years, more and more students have needed food support. The CBC reported on record-high Campus Food Bank visits in 2023 at Memorial University’s St. John’s campus. In 2024, visits were nearly double that of 2022.
This growth in students using the food bank alongside rising costs follows a national trend. Students’ fixed costs (e.g. rent and tuition) must typically be paid in full and on time. Food costs are considered more “flexible.” Students can stretch their grocery budget by buying cheaper, less nutritious options, skipping meals, or relying on free food or food charity programs. This means that fixed costs are paid first when finances are strained, and food budgets take the hit. For many students, this isn’t a one-time choice but an ongoing cycle.
Partnering to Understand Food Insecurity on Campus
In fall 2024, Food First NL joined our project partners, the Campus Food Bank and the Hub for the Study of Local Governance in N.L., to understand food insecurity on campus. We wanted to learn who uses the Campus Food Bank, who doesn’t, and to hear their stories.
Our goal was to use this information to:
Give the Campus Food Bank recommendations for strengthening their services.
Support equitable policies for everyone on campus.
Recognize the broader structural challenges affecting students and the Food Bank.
About the Campus Food Bank
The Campus Food Bank operates on Memorial University’s (MUN) St. John’s Campus. It is an independent, non-profit organization and is not run by the university. It provides emergency food support to members of the campus community, including students, employees, and retirees.
The Campus Food Bank is one of the largest food banks in the province, yet it runs on very limited resources. Its operations rely entirely on volunteer work (mostly students) and food/monetary donations, as is typical across the food charity sector.
Like all food banks in the province, the Campus Food Bank limits access to one visit per month (every 28 calendar days).
Our Student Survey
We opened our survey to all students on MUN’s St. John’s campus between November 12 and December 31, 2024. We promoted it through our social media, media interviews, on-campus events and posters, and with every Campus Food Bank hamper.
We heard from 253 current students:
A nearly even split between undergraduate (51%) and graduate students (49%)
57% were international students and 40% were domestic students (from Canada)
93% lived off-campus
More than half of the students had jobs (46% part-time; 5% full-time)
Food Insecurity Rates: A Snapshot in Time
We asked students about their experiences in the previous six months (May/June to December 2024).
More than half of the respondents (54%) reported being food insecure and struggling to afford enough food to meet their needs.
Nearly 1 in 4 students experienced marginal food insecurity (worried about running out of food or having limited food options)
1 in 4 students experienced moderate food insecurity (compromised on the quality or quantity of their meals)
10 students experienced severe food insecurity (sometimes missed meals or went days without food)
Our results are similar to previous studies. Research published in 2021 and 2024 found that between 47% and 58% of MUN students struggled to afford the food they needed and wanted. These studies found that food-insecure students often have worse physical and mental health, feel more stressed, and have lower grades than food-secure students. They’re also more likely to use on-campus support services, like the Student Wellness and Counselling Centre.
Why Students Do and Don’t Use the Campus Food Bank
Why Students Use the Campus Food Bank
We asked students who had used the Campus Food Bank (82 in total) why they first accessed the service. Almost 90% said rising costs and/or low incomes. These were also the main reasons why people kept using the Campus Food Bank.
Even when these students go to the Campus Food Bank for help, 51% said they still struggle to afford the rest of their food. This tells us that many students have to choose between buying groceries and paying for fixed costs, like tuition, textbooks, and rent.
“It felt like playing bill payment roulette – deciding which bills, if any, could be paid – yet food remained a constant struggle.”
A disproportionate number of International students reported using the Campus Food Bank. They made up 73% of those who had used the Campus Food Bank, yet represented only 24% of the total student population in 2024. Many reasons may explain this imbalance, including higher tuition hikes, visa-restricted employment, and social isolation. The Campus Food Bank may also be convenient to access since it’s located near international student services.
Why Students Don’t Use the Campus Food Bank
Many students reported experiencing food insecurity but had never visited the Campus Food Bank. While most students said they didn’t need the support, others gave two main reasons for not using the Food Bank:
They felt ashamed to ask for help
“I feel ashamed of being dependent on support.”
They felt others needed the help more than they did
“I don’t want to take away from people who need it more.”
We found the same trends during Rethinking Food Charity, which heard from people experiencing food insecurity across Newfoundland and Labrador.
Opportunities to Improve Services
Our report provides 13 recommendations to improve the Campus Food Bank for students. The following feedback and insights from students helped to shape those recommendations.
Reducing Stigma and Creating a Welcoming Environment
We asked the students who had used the Campus Food Bank if they felt ashamed or judged when using the service.
77% said they never, rarely, or sometimes feel ashamed or judged
16% said they often feel ashamed or judged
7% said they always feel ashamed or judged
We also asked if they felt welcome during their visit. The majority of students who used the Campus Food Bank said they felt extremely or moderately welcome during their visits (79%). No one reported feeling completely unwelcome.
We know from other research that feelings of shame or judgement around food charity can be very personal. Personal history, societal stigma, and/or cultural attitudes about food support can influence these emotions.
Knowing this helps us recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to creating a supportive environment where everyone feels welcome. Different people will have different needs. Acknowledging these emotional barriers helps the Campus Food Bank strengthen its steps to promote dignity, respect, and autonomy, to ensure everyone feels welcome and supported.
Location and Access
The Campus Food Bank is inconvenient for many students to access. It’s currently located in the Global Learning Centre’s basement, near Burton’s Pond Apartments. This location is far from the main Metrobus terminal and unfamiliar to many students. The majority of our survey respondents lived off campus, and many relied on the bus or walking to get around. What might be a short trip for students living on campus or with a vehicle becomes a long and stressful journey for those busing home.
Food Variety
We asked all respondents to share their ideas about what they wanted from a Campus Food Bank — regardless of whether or not they had used the service before. More food variety was a common theme. Many said they wanted better, fresher, and more culturally relevant options. More than half strongly supported a wider variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and proteins.
Choice
Students also said they want to be able to choose the foods they take home. Instead of receiving a pre-packed hamper, students would fill their own basket with foods they enjoy, know how to cook, and meet their cultural and dietary needs.
This type of model has been successful at other Campus Food Banks. For example, the University of Alberta switched to a grocery store-style, client-choice model in 2022.
Service Hours
Students also highlighted a need for broader service hours. They suggested extending the hours to include options in early mornings, evenings, and weekends to provide more options for students juggling class and work schedules.
One-third of students suggested an appointment-based pick-up system to avoid long wait times. Others proposed a blended model with both walk-in and appointment options to reduce wait times and have a process that feels more respectful and efficient.
Celebrating Impact and Building Forward
While students had suggestions for improving the Campus Food Bank, they also expressed gratitude and appreciation for the service and the volunteers who run it.
“It's a great initiative and I'm grateful for the support from the food bank.”
Most respondents who used the food bank reported a positive, welcoming experience. This feedback highlights the importance of maintaining and celebrating the Campus Food Bank’s ongoing work. This work is a great foundation to build on and continue improving services.
While the Campus Food Bank does its best with limited resources, lasting change will require structural policy shifts. Our project team plans to use the insights shared by students to advocate for change within the food charity sector and at the provincial and federal levels. Together, we can build a campus — and province — where everyone can eat with joy and dignity.
Full Report
You can now download our full report PDF — “Strengthening Food Support on Campus: Survey Results and Recommendations.”
Photo by Wander Fleur on Unsplash