All About Food Programs On Campus

This blog is a guide to resources that can help students access affordable or free food. Whether you’re a student in need or looking to help a friend, these resources can make a difference. This blog covers on campus resources, for additional resources and support for students, staff, and the broader community, check out these options: 

• Hamilton Food Share: Provides support and resources for food aid services. Visit hamiltonfoodshare.org or call 905-664-9065. 

• Good Shepherd Centre Emergency Food Program: Provides emergency food and clothing. Visit goodshepherdcentres.ca or call 905-972-9485 

• Hamilton Food Access Guide: A comprehensive guide to free or low-cost food options in Hamilton 

The Student Wellness Centre 

Offers medical services, counseling and education to students at McMaster. It provides students with referrals if they identify experiences of food insecurity. It also provides students with programs like Food for Thought (cooking program & newsletter) that promote food skills, and it has a food-literacy team that performs outreach initiatives on campus. The Wellness Lounge has informational resources and free food.   

Contact: 905-525-9140 x27700 and wellness@mcmaster.ca 

Food for thought  

Learn cooking skills in a relaxed and interactive environment. These cooking sessions will provide the opportunity to explore and practice topics related to cooking skills, knife skills, meal planning, nutrition and food safety.  

Free Fruit Fridays:  

Need more fruits in your diet? Drop by the Wellness Lounge for some free fruit on Fridays!  

FCC Programs 

The Food Collective Centre is McMaster’s on-campus food bank and food security resource. We are a service run by students dedicated to ensuring that food is always accessible to support food insecure individuals. Our goals also include cultivating stronger food systems in the McMaster and surrounding community and advocating for practices to improve food security. We offer a number of support resources that are available for everyone, including students, alumni, staff, and Hamilton community partners. 

Website: https://msumcmaster.ca/service/fcc/   

Contact: fcc@msu.mcmaster.ca 

“ON CAMPUS FOOD BANK” 

The Food Collective Centre’s on-campus food bank is located on the 3rd floor of the Hub buildin. We aim to empower and support McMaster students and community members by providing autonomy and choice. Through self-service, partners have the opportunity to choose the non-perishable, perishable items and hygiene products that they need.  Everything in this space comes at no cost and can be accessed by anyone. We hope this space will help alleviate the stigma surrounding food banks and encourage not just students, but the community to learn, experience, and empower one another. 

“LOCKERS OF LOVE” 

Lockers of Love is an FCC initiative providing students and community members with a confidential way to address food insecurity. Participants can order non-perishable food items and hygiene products online with a unique ID code, ensuring discreet access to essential resources. These items will be placed in a locker within 7 days for pick-up.  

“GOOD FOOD BOX” 

The FCC offers Good Food Box, a monthly program where individuals can order fresh produce online through the MSU website at an affordable price, making nutritious food more accessible to the community. FCC partners can conveniently pick up their boxes right on campus.  

“COMMUNITY KITCHEN WORKSHOP” 

FCC hosts free monthly cooking workshops on campus, open to students, faculty, and members of the Hamilton community. These workshops provide an opportunity to learn practical cooking skills in a welcoming environment. 

OPIRG-McMaster Community Garden  

Our mission is to help reduce barriers to access of healthy food for members of the McMaster community by increasing availability of low or no cost produce through the garden, as well as to provide all members of the McMaster community with a space to learn about and enjoy the therapeutic benefits of gardening.  

Contact: communitygarden@opirgmcmaster.org 

Hospitality Services  

Offers numerous initiatives and programs to support students. For example, they provide $5signature meals, create student jobs, provide emergency meal cards, and support students with dietary restrictions.  

Contact: (905) 525-9140 Ext. 24422 & hospitality@mcmaster.ca 

Five Dollar Meals/Signature Meals?  

• La Piazza 

• Mac & Cheese Cup | V | $5.00 Signature Meals 

• Three Egg Omelette | V | $6.00 Signature Meal 

• Tazij Loaded Veggie Pocket | $6 Signature Meals 

• Centro 

• Chana and Rice | VG, GF | $6.00 Signature Meal 

Loonies for Lunches 

At La Piazza, customers can contribute $1 to support the FCC’s Lockers of Love program, which provides McMaster community members with a confidential way to access essential resources. This initiative allows individuals to order e-gift cards for groceries, non-perishable food items, personal hygiene products, and other necessities, which can be discreetly picked up from lockers on campus. Simply let your cashier know you’d like to pay it forward and swipe your meal plan or card to make a difference. 

More Than Food  

The More Than Food Program is a dynamic student-led initiative at McMaster University, dedicated to promoting sustainability and fostering positive environmental change on campus. Through experiential learning focused on project planning and relationship building, More Than Food Peers has become effective advocates for change, empowering the next generation of sustainability leaders. Their efforts inspire environmentally conscious behaviors, including increasing the use of the Reuse Pass at Centro, strengthening the connection between Hospitality Services and the student community, and championing students to become global stewards of their campus and beyond. 

Indigenous Student Services 

Provides culturally appropriate food services and supports to Indigenous students, such as cooking classes and community soup days. Every Tuesday, the Indigenous Studies Office provides delicious free soup for students. Stop by during the afternoon to grab some soup and to meet staff and students. 

Contact: 905-525-9140 Ext. 27426 & indigssa@mcmaster.ca 

The Student Assistance Plan 

Provides on demand 24/7 consultation from a professional about nutrition, life skills and more. This is free, confidential, voluntary, and accessible for McMaster students, their roommates, and immediate family members.  

Contact: 1-888-377-0002