Food insecurity is a significant global health concern with direct implications for chronic diseases, overall health, and student success. If you're facing challenges affording food and balanced meals, such as having to make tough choices between groceries and rent, explore the resources below to learn more about how we can assist you.
Please check out the below Food Access Support options available to you as a student:
- The Centennial College Student Association Inc. (CCSAI) Food Bank, in partnership with the Daily Bread Food Bank, collects and gives out food to those in need.
- Light breakfast items are available at each Centennial College campus once a week through the CCSAI 'Grab and Go' Breakfast Program.
- Grab fresh fruit from Athletics and Recreation Wellness Wednesday 'Snack Shack' when you work out at our campus Fitness Centres.
- Ask your campus dining location about the value meal options and/or chef creations. You can also ask them about speaking with Aramark’s registered dietitian that visits each campus once or twice a semester to learn more about how to plan your diet within your resources.
- Visit The Local at Progress Campus to enjoy budget-friendly house-made meals at discounted prices. At the Café’s “To Go Station”, you can also get a hot, individually packaged take-out meal at a cost lower than regular menu items, such as lasagna, mac and cheese, chicken souvlaki and more. All meals are prepared by our chefs and students.
- Save money by learning to prepare your own food with our Learn to Cook Demonstrations recipe and video tutorials created by the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts.
- The School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts has launched a new project called Cook’n Feed that aims to tackle food insecurity by offering affordable meals within our community and student population. This program has Chef Technicians and Faculty collaborating to create meals utilizing surplus ingredients from culinary and baking labs and the Learning Enterprise. These delicious and nutritious meals are available at The Local Café every single week for $1 or $2 each. Meals are prepared fresh each Friday and delivered to The Local Café for purchase.
When: Fridays, any time after 2 p.m.
Where: The Local Café and Restaurant, Progress Campus (Check for both fresh or frozen options)
Need help once you get to The Local? Simply ask for sustainability meals! Contact thelocal@centennialcollege.ca with any additional questions.
Visit the Experience Centennial Resource Map to find food banks located near our College campuses, as well as other resources.
Connect with organizations around Centennial College to access food, such as:
- Acess the Feed Scarborough
- Access Daily Bread Food Bank
- Find the lowest priced groceries and recipes with: The Inflation Cookbook
Other ways Centennial can support you
The cost of living is going up for everyone. To help you address the hardships you may be experiencing, including the high cost of living in Toronto, we’ve compiled a list of resources and initiatives available at Centennial to help you Stretch Your Dollars to support you in your learning journey.