Why Food Should Be Free on Campus

Written by Nicholas Lapierre 

Thumbnail & Banner Photo by Creab Mcselvin on Unsplash

The cost of food is an issue that challenges many students during their time at Saint Mary’s. Unlike textbooks or a new computer, students need food to survive. The cost of living on Campus is more expensive due to the added cost of food. The meal plans could be adjusted to make it more affordable for students to live on campus. However, with the cost of groceries across Canada, students have been resorting to places such as food banks. Students could access food more freely by reducing the prices of the establishments on campus. If declined, these locations will be able to increase their business and give students access to food at a lower price. The options for students in terms of diet are limited, showing that meal halls could prepare more healthy and allergy-free food. Therefore, students should have access to free food on campus. 

Cost of Living on Campus

One reason to make food-free is to lower campus living costs. The price for international students moving into Canada is more costly, approximately 20,000 a year. If the university reduced these costs, it would give students more financial freedom. Many students are working multiple jobs and attempting to pay off bills. Food costs just add to the expenses that students must deal with. On average, living on Campus at a Canadian university costs around 10,000 dollars for 12 months. One thousand of these funds is spent on accommodations.  The second highest expense for accommodations is food and drink. Indeed by decreasing the cost of meal plans, living on campus would be more accessible. Universities have also decided to make food more costly by adding the all-you-can-eat meal plan. In New Brunswick, this increased meal plans from 3,400 to 5,500 dollars. Additionally in Nova Scotia, universities make meal plans mandatory as part of living on campus. Due to these costs, many students are forced to work during the school year. In a study by the University du Quebec, more than half of full-time students work while in school. Does it seem fair for students to be both students and workers? Poverty is becoming a substantial problem within the United States and Canada.  The National statistics claim that 1 in 9 Canadians are homeless and have no living standards. One student argued that reducing meal plan prices would lower living expenses on campus. In addition, the issue of student poverty would be resolved as more students could obtain their degree at a reduced cost. Ultimately, free food or reduced food costs would make living at the University more affordable.

Easing the Cost of Food Insecurity

Like many people in Canada, Students are challenged with food insecurity. Students could be relieved of this issue by making food accessible on campus. Forty percent of students in university were reported to be food insecure due to the high living costs. As a result of COVID-19, the demand for food and its price across provincial grocery stores has increased. Many students who live at home are tasked with buying overpriced groceries. If you talk to any older residents of Nova Scotia, they will tell you how cheap food was back in the day. The price is astronomical; On campus, one popular location for students' morning breakfast is Starbucks. The double-smoked bacon and egg sandwich costs 6.65 cents. However, this needs to include the coffee that goes with it, which costs 3.95 cents. Altogether, this creates a ten-dollar meal. It certainly doesn't take a finance major to realize that ten dollars is too expensive for a morning breakfast. Although there are many on-campus establishments, they are a luxury that many students need help to afford. By reducing prices with these establishments, students would have more access to food, and businesses would have more customers. One question that many ask is how food impacts students' mental health. Researchers are witnessing an increase in poor academic performance across Canadian universities. This decreased focus in school is due to not eating. On the contrary, the Saint Mary's food pantry is accessible, giving food to those who need it. The pantry contains healthy, nutritious food that benefits those who cannot afford groceries. Therefore, if the cost of food were at least reduced, then student food insecurity would decrease.

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

Limited Options for Students

If the cost of food in the meal hall is to be increased, students should have better access to healthy and diet-friendly food. Students on specific diets or maintaining their health need help to resist the vast desserts in the dining hall. By offering food that is both healthy and delicious, students will be able to satisfy their hunger and diet. According to some students, there are many options like salad and vegetables. However, salad and vegetables are the only recorded healthy food in university meal halls.It only seems fair for students paying for meal services at high prices to receive various healthy options. Of course, many simply bring their food to school because of allergies. Students in Canada say that having a food allergy restricts what they can and cannot eat. Asking the staff what's allergy-free can be extremely awkward. No one wants to ask the lunch lady if the cupcake is allergy-free while thirty other students stand in line behind them. If meal halls are going to produce baked goods, they should be made free of main allergens to ensure all students can enjoy what the meal hall has to offer. According to a report by the Government of Canada, 300,000 Canadians are impacted by celiac disease. Experts say that universities in the United States have been implementing a diet registration plan within universities. Through this plan, students can eat healthy meals that suit their needs.  This would be an excellent policy to implement into Saint Marys. In summary, if food costs are to remain at their current prices these options should be available for the student body.

Thus, food on campus should be free or at the very least cheaper to ensure that students receive a quality experience while attending school. The cost of living on campus remains high as food and drink contribute to the cost of living. Food insecurity across Canada impacts students and the general population. It's not fair that students pursuing a bachelor's degree should be forced to resort to the food bank. By making food accessible, the university would be making it easier for students and new graduates. Lastly, there is the issue of variety and the limited food selection for students with allergies and specialized diets. Students with allergies are restricted to some desserts and other foods. Yet, the cost of meal plans will continue to increase within Canada. In that case, more student accommodations need to be in place. With the issues of food insecurity, it would be a good idea to make food-free on campus.