Queen’s food-access programs saw increased student usage this year as rising grocery prices and time constraints continue to shape the food industry on campus.
According to the 2024-25 Student Affairs Annual Report, created by Queen’s Student Affairs, several food-access services experienced high uptake. Students accessed 6,190 meals through Swipe It Forwards, and 769 students received support through Student Wellness Services food programming.
Notable food access programs that saw an increase in the 2024-25 report include the PEACH Market, which served 6,585 rescued meals—untouched food from Queen’s Hospitality Services that would otherwise go to waste—on campus, an additional 500 more than reported in the 2023-24 Student Affairs Annual Report. As well, more than 1,530 bowls of soup were served through Faith and Spiritual Life (FSL) and the Queen’s University International Centre (QUIC), compared to 2023-24, when only eight free soup lunches were provided during the winter term.
In a statement to The Journal, Health Promotion Manager, Student Wellness Services and Chair of the Food Insecurity Advisory Committee, Kate Humphrys, wrote that Queen’s recognizes that higher living costs are leading to food insecurity.
READ MORE: City of Kingston declares food insecurity an emergency
In response to growing student hunger, Humphrys pointed to a number of programs designed to help students struggling with food insecurity.
“Students have access to a range of services and programs, including the pay-what-you-can PEACH Market, WHOLE Bowls, Swipe It Forward Queen’s, Fresh Food Boxes, Mason Jar Meals, Healthy Cooking Sessions, free community lunches at QUIC, and a new collaboration between Student Wellness Services and SGPS, focusing on graduate students living near west campus,” Humphrys wrote.
Student Affairs also has an online Food Access Resources page to help students navigate support. Humphrys emphasized that Student Affairs additionally promotes resources regularly through social media, emails, and Pulse, and that a handout was shared with “partners across campus” to distribute to students.
In an interview with The Journal, AMS Food Bank Head Manager Caroline Ding said both the Food Bank and the PEACH Market have seen higher demand than last year.
“We keep selling out before closing time,” she said, about the PEACH Market.
According to Ding, the Food Bank also experienced a rise in early-year usage, though not a drastic one. Demand fluctuates week-to-week depending on students’ needs.
To accommodate higher usage, the Food Bank switched to bulk suppliers in an effort to lower costs and increase the amount of produce available. The PEACH Market is also undergoing scaling efforts in collaboration with Queen’s Hospitality Services to increase the number of meals offered.
On Nov. 19, the Food Bank received approval for a student fee increase. According to the AMS 2025 Fall Elections Report, the fees rose from $4 to $5.50.
READ MORE: Fall referendum sees all fees approved on the ballot
Ding said the additional funding is intended to offset a projected 4 per cent rise in grocery costs, partly due to tariffs. The increased funding may also allow for expanded hours and a broader selection of culturally diverse food options, depending on next-year’s budget.
“We understand food insecurity looks different for everyone, which is why different approaches are important,” Ding said.
The Food Bank also receives monthly produce donations from the United Way and support from various Queen’s departments through food drives.
Humphry shared that the Student Food Insecurity Advisory Committee oversees food-access programming at Queen’s, comprising staff from Housing and Ancillary Services, Financial Aid, Student Wellness Services, the Ban Righ Centre, and the School of Graduate Studies, as well as student representatives.
The committee will continue to review sector trends and campus data to guide programming and aims to reduce stigma around accessing food supports.
Tags
PEACH Market, Student affairs, Student Affairs Annual Report, Student Wellness Services, Swipe It Forwards
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