The Food Security Project

Story

Food Security on Campus

For students, access to affordable and nourishing food is never a given.

Overall food prices are expected to increase by 5% to 7% in 2023, with nutrient-dense products becoming more and more inaccessible to budget shoppers. To make matters worse, the overall rising cost of living means resources that previously might have been reserved for groceries are now being funneled into inflated rents, transportation costs, and other daily necessities. And many students work multiple jobs just to make ends meet, which doesn’t leave much time or energy for sourcing healthy meals to feed their minds and bodies.

Fortunately, Dalhousie students have access to student-led resources like the Dalhousie Student Union Food Bank and Agricultural Campus Food Pantry. But steadily increasing demand means that these services require more and more funding to adequately meet the needs of the student population. This is demonstrated by the number of visits to the Food Bank almost doubling this October compared to October 2022. The Food Pantry has observed a similar uptick this Fall.

That’s why the Food Security Project is back again, to connect students with reliable access to good food at a time when it’s badly needed. 100% of Food Security Project proceeds go to stocking shelves at the DSU Food Bank and AC Food Pantry.

Impact

Be a part of the movement. Double your impact.

Now in its fourth year, the Food Security Project has grown to a true province-wide movement, with communities across Nova Scotia rallying to meet the urgent needs of postsecondary students. We at Dal are proud to have spearheaded this effort with our friends at The J & W Murphy Foundation.

The foundation’s matching support means that gifts from individuals are being matched up to $20,000.

We’ve exceeded our goal for three years running, and our objective this time is to surpass last year’s total of $72,000 for student food security. Together we can ensure Dal and King’s students have reliable access to nourishing food when they need it. Help us get there and show students you care.

If you would like more information about this campaign please reach out to Clare MacDermott at clare.macdermott@dal.ca. To mail a cheque please send to the Office of Advancement, 6389 Coburg Road, PO Box 15000, Halifax, NS B3H 2A5.

Supporters

Kathryn Hayward

With rising costs of tuition and rising costs of housing, more students than ever battle food insecurity. I encourage those who can give to do so. It will make a difference in a students life.

Marsha Mann

Some people turn up their sleeves. Some people turn up their nose. Some people never turn up. I turned up!

Jackie Hurst

Jessica Feader

Happy to support students in need of food to fuel their minds and improve their overall wellbeing!

Aysha Rajack

"Poverty is not a crime but a person" Theresa Rajack-Talley

Alisha Johnson

Margaret Dunbar

Faculty of Graduate Studies

Jodi Reid

Joseph Macdonald

The last thing that we should allow to get in the way of student success is hunger. Support The Food Security Project.

Kat Raichlen

I'm glad to be able to support students in this difficult time -- thanks for making it so easy to give!

Brian Hoyt

Catherine Kinnaird

Colette Wyllie

All the important parts of life as a student - academic success, physical/mental/emotional wellness, personal growth and and social fulfillment - are impossible without reliable access to food.

Leslie Phillmore

INDRANIL GUPTA

My little contribution to this noble cause.

Christina Brassard

I believe in the Food Security Project! Venant d'un milieu pauvre, je sais qu'il y a des gens qui ne mangent pas bien et il est important que les gens plus aisés les aident.

Sarah Ready

Kevin Borgel

Joan Christie

I sat beside a student at an event, I and she was telling of the need.