With the new year comes the 13th anniversary of the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union Food Centre on campus, a place where students can turn to for resources, volunteer opportunities and community initiatives.

Hunger has always been and continues to be a notable issue at the U of S as many students struggle to maintain a healthy diet or access to certain foods. As a response to this issue, the Food Centre was established in 2003 by the USSU in conjunction with the Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre.

Taletha Bennett, a third-year nutrition student and Food Centre co-ordinator, talks about one of the many services offered through the centre.

“We have many undergraduate and graduate students who are welcomed into the Centre and frequent our services, such as the Emergency Food Hampers provided,” Bennett said in an email to the Sheaf. “Emergency Food Hampers are available to all students with a valid student card and health card. Orders can be placed anytime during USSU business hours at the USSU main office front desk or right in the Food Centre, and can be ordered every 14 days.”

The Food Centre also offers a fresh food market in upper Place Riel every Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The produce is supplied by CHEP Good Food Inc., a local organization that works with children, families and communities to improve access to good food and promote food security, and is available to the U of S community and public at a low cost.

Moreover, the centre takes orders of Good Food Boxes for anyone on campus with prices ranging from $8 to $17, and Bennett insists that this option can also be a valuable learning opportunity.

“Good Food Boxes must be paid for at the time of order, which helps students with fiscal responsibility and budgeting. They range from small fruit bags that feed a single person to regular Good Food Boxes with fruit and vegetables that can feed a whole family. They are fresh, healthy and very affordable for students,” Bennett said.

The Food Centre’s largest event, Trick-or-Eat, takes place annually in October and involves U of S students forming teams and going door-to-door to collect non-perishable food items for the Saskatoon Food Bank.

“This [past] year, the Food Centre broke records on all fronts. We had the most participants with over 250 students, collected the most non-perishable food items at 3,303 kilograms and received the most monetary donations, with over $400, that the Food Centre has ever seen,” Bennett said.

Being a depot for the Saskatoon Food Bank allows the centre the ability to replenish the stores that keep students fuelled during the year.

“It is a great way to give back to the organization that gives to us all year long,” she said.

According to Bennett, students may not only benefit from the resources made more readily available through the centre, but there are also learning opportunities within the operation of the centre.

“Aside from our day-to-day services, the centre currently has two second-year nutrition students working on a special addition to the Fresh Market that will hopefully be unveiled this term. That is all I can say — stay tuned.”

The centre is also involved in various U of S activities including the USSU’s Sex Week and working with the Office of Sustainability on campus to provide sustainable and branded produce bags at the market.

Being involved with the Food Centre has been one of the highlights of Bennett’s university experience and she encourages students to consider getting involved.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to be the Food Centre co-ordinator for the past two academic years. I have made an abundance of new friends, who have given me invaluable insights, knowledge and support. This job has reinforced my passion for food security, and I will remain an advocate for healthy, sustainable and culturally relevant food for all people, at all times. I look forward to passing on the torch to someone equally as passionate.”

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Jaline Broqueza

Photo: Caitlin Taylor / Photo Editor