SDG 2 Zero Hunger

There are numerous food choices across our campuses with a combination of services operated by CQUnivesity, and private vendors, offering a variety of affordable options to cater for everyone, including vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary requirements.

The two training restaurants located at CQUniversity Mackay and Rockhampton are open to the public on specific dates and times to provide students with the opportunity to practice their skills and be assessed in catering, hospitality and front-line management. Each restaurant has a kitchen and dining area where students undertake practical training in food preparation, customer service and hospitality management.

Students assist in operating the restaurants which offer a variety of high quality and affordable meals and beverages.

Bundaberg Possum Pantry

Students at CQUniversity Bundaberg have access to food support with Possum Pantry, a welcoming space where practical assistance and community connection go hand in hand.

The pantry was established through FOOD: Help Happens Here, a community-led initiative coordinated by Wide Bay Kids Community Inc. The program aims to improve food equity and reduce food insecurity through local partnerships and place-based solutions. Find out more

Melbourne and Sydney Fresh Food Pantries

The Fresh Food Pantry Project runs at CQUniversity's Melbourne and Sydney campuses, which support a community of nearly 5000 international students.

The project features regular pop-up stalls across Term 2 and 3, and students can register to stock up for free on culturally-appropriate fresh fruit and vegetables. Once registered, students will receive alerts about future pop-ups on their campus. 

The Fresh Food Pantry Project is delivered by CQUniversity’s Student Wellbeing team, alongside initiatives to promote student engagement, volunteering and healthy living. Produce is delivered by social enterprise The One Box, via its program to source fresh, high-quality produce from local farmers and markets to support families and people with food insecurity. Find out more

Rockhampton- ALC Lunch & Chat Club

This CQUniversity Rockhampton initiative is a welcoming space where students can connect over a free lunch, build friendships, and access support for their studies. The Club brings students together in an informal and inclusive environment where conversation, connection, and a shared meal are at the heart of the experience. 

Open to students from all year levels and study disciplines, the initiative focuses on fostering a strong sense of belonging, wellbeing, and inclusion while providing an accessible point of connection for students who may be experiencing financial pressures, social isolation, or challenges navigating university life.

• Women in Agri-tech project – The project aims to create a network of female teachers who will lead in digital literacy, STEM, and entrepreneurship in regional, rural, and remote areas. Guided by female researchers and professionals, these teachers will develop engaging educational resources to inspire girls in the classroom. The project also includes an agri-tech accelerator competition, offering female students the opportunity to further develop entrepreneurship skills. With the agricultural sector undergoing digital transformation, there is a growing demand for STEM and entrepreneurial expertise. Women are currently underrepresented in this field, comprising only 30% of the agricultural workforce and even fewer in leadership roles. The project seeks to inspire the next generation of women to explore careers in agri-tech, helping to bridge this gender gap.
• Agri-Tech Education is a team of CQUniversity researchers and practitioners who develop innovative programs to increase the skills and knowledge of the current and next generation agricultural workforce in agri-tech tools and systems. Our team works with educational institutions, agricultural businesses and industry organisations to develop and implement a range of learning opportunities for educators, students and those working in the agricultural industry to build their capacity to use data and technology to support decision-making across the supply chain. All of our projects aim to showcase the scientific and digital skills required in the agricultural industry to upskill the current agricultural workforce and attract the next generation to work in the food and fibre production sector.
• GPS Cows - This online resource has been co-designed by the NSW Department of Education and CQUniversity Australia for the NSW Stage 5 Agriculture Syllabus. It incorporates content from the Agriculture and Food Technologies and the Digital Technologies contexts. The course investigates the use of GPS data to improve the management of animal welfare.
• The Prawn Farmers Digital Skills Hub will provide the Australian prawn farming industry with access to education and training in the digital skills required to accelerate the adoption of current and emerging technologies. 

CQUniversity provides opportunities for local farmers, growers and food producers to connect with researchers, industry experts and other agricultural professionals through field days, industry forums, symposiums and practical demonstrations. These events facilitate the exchange of knowledge, showcase agricultural research and innovation, and support the adoption of improved and sustainable farming practices.

Australian Sesame Symposium 2026

Associate Professor Tieneke Trotter delivered the inaugural Sesame Central Forum in September 2025. The event brought together Australia's emerging sesame industry in Brisbane. Hosted by CQUniversity's agriculture team in partnership with the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA) and AgriFutures Australia, the symposium provided an opportunity for growers, researchers and industry representatives to share the latest research, discuss industry opportunities and exchange ideas shaping the future of Australian sesame production.

Great Northern Spices Winter Spices Field Walk

On 11 September 2025, CQUniversity researchers delivered the CRCNA Great Northern Spices Winter Spices Field Walk at the Central Queensland Smart Cropping Centre in Emerald.

The field walk brought together growers and researchers for practical, hands-on engagement with winter spice crops, including kalonji and fennel. Participants inspected crop performance and observed demonstrations of planting techniques and non-shattering sesame management. The event provided an opportunity to discuss research findings, share practical knowledge and explore opportunities for developing northern Australia's spice industry.

Sesame Program of Research Industry Forum

Professor Dana Stanley and PhD candidate Maria Whitton presented at the AgriFutures Australia Sesame Program of Research Forum in Brisbane on 2 October 2025. The forum brought together research leaders and industry partners to share progress and discuss developments in the Australian sesame research program.

The event provided a platform for researchers and industry representatives to exchange knowledge, discuss research outcomes and identify opportunities to support the growth and development of Australia's sesame industry.

Farmer Field Schools and Agricultural Engagement in Vanuatu

CQUniversity also facilitates knowledge exchange directly with farming communities through international agricultural development projects. In Vanuatu, a project funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) has engaged farmers through field days, Farmer Field Schools and farm business planning activities.

More than 40 farmers attended each field day, while individual household business planning was undertaken with 110 households. The project also delivered 10 Farmer Field Schools across seven villages on three islands. These schools provided practical technical knowledge through lessons and participatory research trials, helping farmers implement their business plans and improve agricultural practices.

In addition, five Master Classes in Farm Business Planning were delivered to farmer support agency staff, strengthening their capacity to provide ongoing assistance to farming communities. Stories and experiences were also collected from farmers and support agency staff to share knowledge and lessons with other stakeholders.

CQUniversity provides opportunities for farmers, growers and food producers to engage with university research facilities and specialist expertise. Through access to agricultural research infrastructure, demonstration sites and practical learning environments, the University supports collaboration between researchers and industry, enabling producers to observe emerging technologies, discuss research findings and explore their application in commercial farming systems.

The Central Queensland Smart Cropping Centre in Emerald provides an important setting for this engagement, supporting field demonstrations, crop trials and opportunities for growers and industry partners to interact directly with CQU researchers.