Fresh connection as pantry grows community
CQUniversity is tackling cost pressures and food insecurity for international students, with a new fruit and veggie project that also grows inclusion and wellbeing.
The Fresh Food Pantry Project has been launched as a pilot initiative on 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.
International Student Wellbeing Project Officer Si Feng said up to 50kg of stock will be offered at each pop-up, with 40 to 50 students expected to take home produce regularly.
“The project will improve access to affordable, nutritious food for international students, and that’s going to help their wellbeing, and their success in their studies,” Si said.
“Coming to the pantry, students can also connect with other wellbeing programs, including mental health support, and grow their sense of belonging.
“We hope the Fresh Food Pantry Project will scale into an opportunity for student volunteering to support the model, and to expand into other pantry items, and ways for students to connect and grow friendships over the food they prepare.”
Recent research published in the Health Promotion Journal of Australia shows food insecurity has increased for university students, with international students among the hardest hit.
In 2020, CQUniversity was the first Australian university to partner with social enterprises SecondBite and FareShare to establish a large food bank supporting international students across its metro campuses.
In just six months, with volunteer support from staff and other students, more than 20,000 frozen meals and thousands of kilos of fresh produce and dry goods were distributed to students.
That initiative grew into the Campus Kindness project for the Melbourne campus, distributing food packs to students in need across 2023 and 2024.
CQUniversity provides an integrated student support network that includes welfare, academic and career support to ensure international students thrive on their learning journey.
Are you an international student at CQUniversity Melbourne or Sydney? Register now to collect free fruit and veg at The Fresh Food Pantry Project sign-up!
