Tackling food insecurity continues to be a priority for the AMS.
The AMS Foodbank is set to launch market research to better understand the needs of its s, alongside planning various initiatives to raise awareness and increase donations through outreach and collaboration. This new initiative was reported by the AMS’ Vice President (Operations) Ayan Chowdhury during AMS Assembly on Sept. 23.
According to Chowdhury, the initiative to research student food insecurity and AMS Food Bank resources stemmed from internal observations. Before introducing any changes or action plans, the AMS aims to gain a deeper understanding of the needs of those using the service.
“The AMS Food Bank is a confidential, and non-judgemental service. Prior to conducting research and analyzing its results, we cannot share day-to-day observations of students accessing this service,” Chowdhury said in a statement to The Journal.
READ MORE: Data across the board suggests increased food bank ship
During the University’s Board of Trustees meeting on Dec. 8, former AMS executives called on trustees to contribute to the AMS Food Bank, noting it now serves as many as 50 patrons per shift, a significant rise from the previous average of 15. In 2022, 18.4 per cent of Canadian households across 10 provinces faced food insecurity, while 29 per cent of students at Queen’s had similar experiences during that same period.
In 2024, the University of Toronto released new data on household food insecurity for 2023. According to the report, 22.9 per cent of individuals in the 10 provinces lived in food-insecure households, totaling 8.7 million people, including 2.1 million children. This indicates a continued rise in food insecurity, reaching a record high percentage of those affected.
The increase in food insecurity was primarily observed among households facing more severe food deprivation due to financial constraints. The percentage of individuals living in severely food-insecure households rose from 4.0 per cent in 2022 to 6.0 per cent in 2023, with food insecurity levels varying across provinces. In 2023, 24.5 per cent of individuals in Ontario lived in food-insecure households, which is relatively better compared to other provinces.
Queen’s students currently pay a mandatory activity fee of $4 from both undergraduate and graduate students. This funding ensures the Food Bank remains accessible. This year their focus is on allocating greater funding to general stock groceries. This shift would allow them to as many individuals as possible by prioritizing the basic needs of a larger group,” Chowdhury said in a statement to The Journal.
Aiding students in achieving a balanced diet and promoting overall well-being is crucial in tackling food insecurity, according to Chowdhury. He recognizes the Food Bank faces limitations on what’s accessible specifically when it comes to fresh produce but says they’re actively working on solutions.
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