More Than a Meal: How Students Led UCalgary’s Food Security Movement

When Shaziah Jinnah Morsette first joined the University of Calgary Students’ Union, she knew students were struggling — but she didn’t realize just how many were going hungry.

“I’ve lived in that gray area — not food insecure enough to use the food bank, but struggling to afford food,” says Jinnah Morsette, BA’24 (Communications and Media Studies), BA’24 (Multidisciplinary). “Many students feel the same. We skip meals, trade lunch for parking and quietly compromise. Food becomes the first thing to go when life gets hard — it’s invisible.

That quiet struggle sparked something bigger.

What began as a modest food cupboard tucked away on campus eventually evolved into a full-campus network of affordable groceries, subsidized meals and nutrition-focused programming. The Campus Food Hub is now the heart of UCalgary’s food security response — and one of the university’s most visible student-driven success stories.

From Rejection to Resilience: A Student-Led Push for Change

During her time as VP academic and later as president in 2023 and 2024, Jinnah Morsette worked with campus partners and student leaders to push for a centralized, accessible and inclusive space for food support. 

The early days weren’t easy.

“There were a lot of closed doors,” she says. “Even when we had a strong proposal, we hit logistical blocks — lease issues, shared spaces, operations. But we kept going."

“We knew this wasn’t just about food; it was about whether students could stay in school.”

After nearly a year of planning, the Campus Food Hub was finally launched by the university through collaborative efforts between Student Experience and Support, Ancillary Services, the SU and the Graduate Students' Association. A steering committee ensured students remained embedded in the decision-making process. A space was designed not only to provide food, but also to foster community, dignity and empowerment.

GIVING DAY 2025 FOOD SECURITY FUND FEATURE: They're Doing Everything Right But Still Going Hungry

“Seeing the Campus Food Hub established was incredibly eye-opening,” says Jinnah Morsette. “No student should have to choose between their education and their next meal.”

“We wanted to make sure the programs weren’t stigmatizing. Students should feel like they belong — not like they’re accessing a resource because they’re in crisis. It’s why we prioritized things like visibility, choice and shared spaces.” 

Programs that Nourish and Empower

“The Campus Food Hub isn't just about food — it's about dignity, community and meeting students where they are,” says Jinnah Morsette. “That philosophy shaped every aspect of its design.

“We wanted to make sure the programs weren’t stigmatizing. Students should feel like they belong — not like they’re accessing a resource because they’re in crisis. It’s why we prioritized things like visibility, choice and shared spaces.” 

Now, as an alum, Jinnah Morsette gets to see the impact of the Food Hub team’s amazing work. At the heart of this effort is the Affordable Food Market, an SU Quality Money project, which runs three days a week and distributes more than 5,000 grocery items each month. Students can find subsidized essentials like produce, dairy and protein alternatives, without long lines or complicated eligibility.

Ladle UP!, the first major Food Hub program launched, serves 50-70 students each week with hot, vegetarian soup lunches for just $2, and is working toward serving 150-200 students weekly. It was designed not just as a meal program, but as a weekly moment of community.

The Fresh Fruit Initiative brings apples, oranges and bananas to nine locations across campus, offering free, nutritious snacks to more than 150 students each week. "This was an effort that was already successful, helping healthy food be part of the landscape," Jinnah Morsette says. "Not hidden behind a counter — just there, because that’s what a healthy campus should look like.”

The Breakfast Program, launched in November 2024, fills a vital gap in the mornings, offering $3 smoothies and affordable grab-and-go bundles. Jinnah Morsette says this impactful idea came from student feedback — something nourishing, easy and low-barrier to get students through early classes.

For students cooking at home, the Food Hub’s Meal Kits provide complete ingredients and rotating recipes for $10-20, helping build food literacy, without sacrificing affordability. Meanwhile, Food Literacy Workshops give students hands-on learning in nutrition, budgeting and preserving skills that stick long after the semester ends.

And one of the most thoughtful additions to UCalgary’s broader food security landscape came during Jinnah Morsette’s time as SU president: the Quality Meal Program at The Den, a Students’ Union Quality Money project she developed alongside current UCalgary Students’ Union President Ermia Rezaei-Afsah, that offers a $3 vegan meal at the campus pub.

“We knew that food security wasn’t one-size-fits-all,” she explains. “We needed multiple entry points. Some students access the SU Campus Food Bank, others use the Food Hub, and some just need an affordable, dignified meal where they already are, like The Den.

“It was really important to me that students didn’t feel like they had to go somewhere separate to eat affordably. Eating at The Den with your friends, ordering the same way everyone else does — that’s about dignity. That’s what food security should look like.”

Together, these programs form a web of support that’s practical, inclusive and student-centred — a campus-wide commitment to ensuring no one has to sacrifice their health or education, just to get through the day

“Food is life!” says Gallagher-Burt. “(Psychologist) Abraham Maslow talked about the foundational needs and food is one of them.” 

Food Security = Student Success

The connection between food security and student success is clear: students who are nourished are better equipped to learn, manage stress and stay on track academically. But the conversation doesn’t stop at nutrition — it’s also about well-being, confidence and equity.

That’s where experts like Karen Gallagher-Burt, BSW’08, MSW’13, director of Strategy and Engagement with the Distress Centre, bring critical insight.

As a longtime expert  on health and wellness, Gallagher-Burt has seen how the right supports can make or break a student’s experience — not just in the classroom, but in life. Food insecurity often shows up in ways people don’t expect — fatigue, mood changes, trouble focusing — the bottom line being that you can’t do your best academically if you’re running on empty, physically or emotionally.

“Access to quality food is critical for learning,” Gallagher-Burt says. “For many years now, we have talked about brain health and how events in our lives can impact the development of a healthy brain from birth to about the age of 25.”

She emphasizes the power of food literacy — skills like meal planning, grocery budgeting, and cooking simple, nourishing meals — as a key part of long-term student wellness. It's not just about access; it's about agency.

“Food is life!” says Gallagher-Burt. “(Psychologist) Abraham Maslow talked about the foundational needs and food is one of them.” 

“You are always going to require food and, if you don't look at food holistically (through the lens of) nutrition, culture, mental and physical health, you are not practising self-care.”

Gallagher-Burt also sees food security as a matter of equity and systemic care. Not all students come to campus with the same resources, time or support network, and creating environments where healthy food is available, affordable and easy to access is part of building a truly inclusive institution.

“There are many people today that have minimal food preparation, cooking and shopping skills,” she says. “Food can be connection, culture and community building, all at once.”

Jinnah Morsette echoes that sentiment, reinforcing the role food plays in confidence and resilience.

“When students know how to stretch their food budget, cook for themselves or share meals with others, it builds community, resilience and confidence,” says Jinnah Morsette. “Those are skills they will carry with them long after they graduate.

By giving students easy, affordable and non-stigmatizing access to food, the Campus Food Hub is helping them stay in school, stay healthy and stay hopeful, she says.

A Model for Community and Equity

The Food Hub is more than a collection of programs— it’s a living example of what a student-centred campus can look like. It reflects values of equity, inclusion and resilience, and it’s designed to grow.

“With increased support, the Campus Food Hub could expand programming and launch new initiatives,” Jinnah Morsette says. “There’s room for growth — sustainability projects, community gardens, even academic integration. The potential is huge.”

Its partnerships with groups like MealCare and the Faith and Spirituality Centre reflect its role as a community resource. And its integration into UCalgary’s Ahead of Tomorrow strategic plan shows that this isn’t just a project — it’s a priority.

And, while the Hub is already making a powerful impact, both Jinnah Morsette and Gallagher-Burt agree the work isn’t done. With continued alumni support, the service can grow, evolve and reach more students than ever before.

“Never be afraid to share — there is always someone that needs to be supported,” says Gallagher-Burt. “Reach out to other [UCalgary] alumni and make it personal; ask about the faculty you graduated from or work for; and see if any students have been identified that may need extra support.” 

Because, as we have learned, food security isn’t just about food. It’s about belonging. It’s about opportunity. And it’s about giving every student the chance to succeed — with dignity.

Want to Learn More? 

Join us for a free alumni Dig In! to Food Security webinar, May 15 with Gallagher-Burt, Motayo Dawodu, Owner/Founder, Luminous Nature, Jack Goodwin, BSc'09, CEO, Gorilla Gardener and Co-founder, Vacant Lots Farm Club and Heather Ramshaw from the Campus Food Hub. This panel discussion will be led by Lorelei Lachambre, MC’05 a food security champion as part of her director role on the University of Calgary Alumni Association board. It will dive into practical tips for eating well on a budget, the impact of community gardens, and what it takes to ensure all communities have access to the food and resources they need. Whether you're passionate about sustainability, food security or just curious to learn more, this session offers something for everyone! >>> Learn More