As budget-conscious university students head back to Waterloo Region’s campuses this September, the Food Bank of Waterloo Region is noticing something unexpected. While overall demand continues to climb across the community, the organization reports fewer post-secondary students are accessing their services compared to previous years.
“We’ve actually seen a bit of a dip in student usage,” explains Kim Wilhelm, chief development officer at the Food Bank of Waterloo Region. “But that doesn’t mean students aren’t struggling. What we’re hearing is they’re finding different ways to cope.”
This decline comes against a backdrop of continuously rising food bank usage throughout the region. According to their most recent data, the organization served over 47,000 individuals last year – representing a 35% increase from pre-pandemic levels.
Food security experts suggest several factors might explain why fewer students are showing up at traditional food assistance programs despite continued financial pressures. Campus-specific initiatives have expanded significantly since the pandemic began, creating more accessible and sometimes less stigmatized options.
At the University of Waterloo, the student union’s food support service has reported record numbers, with nearly 600 unique student visits last term alone. Wilfrid Laurier University has similarly expanded its on-campus food cupboard program to meet growing needs.
“Students often prefer accessing help right where they are,” says Dr. Sharon Kirkpatrick, a nutrition and food security researcher at the University of Waterloo. “There’s convenience, but also a sense of privacy when the support is integrated into their daily environment.”
The changing pattern reflects broader shifts in how different population groups access emergency food assistance. Wilhelm notes that while student numbers are down, the food bank has seen dramatic increases among seniors, working families, and newcomers to Canada.
For John Neufeld, executive director of the House of Friendship, another major food assistance provider in the region, these trends signal important changes in how services should be designed.
“We need to meet people where they are, both physically and in terms of their comfort level,” Neufeld says. “For students, that might mean campus pantries rather than community food banks. For others, delivery services have become essential.”
Recent surveys of post-secondary students in Ontario found approximately 40% experienced some form of food insecurity in the past year. This typically manifests as skipping meals, choosing less nutritious options, or constantly worrying about having enough to eat.
At Conestoga College’s Waterloo campus, staff have noticed students increasingly turning to peer-to-peer support networks. “We see informal food sharing, meal prep clubs, and students pooling resources,” says Maria Rodriguez, student support coordinator. “They’re creating their own systems when traditional ones don’t feel accessible.”
Rising costs continue to pressure students from multiple directions. According to Statistics Canada, grocery prices in Ontario have increased by approximately 15% since 2021, while average student housing costs in Waterloo Region have climbed over 20% during the same period.
For many students, these financial pressures create impossible choices. “I either pay rent or I eat properly – I can’t do both some months,” admits Jamal, a third-year engineering student who asked that only his first name be used. Rather than visiting a food bank, he relies on a campus meal-sharing program and occasionally skips meals.
The Food Bank of Waterloo Region is adapting its approach based on these changing patterns. They’ve recently launched more mobile services and established new partnerships with campus organizations to provide supplies directly to student-run programs.
“Our mission isn’t to see everyone at our central location,” Wilhelm explains. “It’s to ensure everyone has access to nutritious food. If students are finding that through other channels, that’s still a success.”
Community leaders emphasize that the overall picture remains concerning. Regional unemployment has increased slightly over the past year, while housing costs continue to outpace wage growth. These factors contribute to food bank usage remaining at historic highs across most demographic groups.
Waterloo Regional Councillor Elizabeth Clarke, who focuses on community services, points to the need for structural solutions. “Emergency food assistance is crucial, but we need affordable housing, better income supports, and policies that address the root causes of food insecurity,” she said following a recent council meeting on poverty reduction.
For students specifically, universities are exploring more integrated approaches. The University of Waterloo recently expanded its meal card donation program, allowing students with meal plans to donate unused points to peers in need.
As the fall semester continues, food assistance providers across Waterloo Region will be watching carefully to see if student usage patterns change. Wilhelm says they’re ready to adjust their services accordingly, recognizing that food security challenges affect different community members in different ways.
“What matters isn’t where people get help,” she concludes. “What matters is that they can access nutritious food with dignity when they need it.”
