UPEI Food Bank Visits Surge 60% as Student Costs Skyrocket

BREAKING: Visits to the food bank at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) have skyrocketed by 60% in just two years, highlighting a growing affordability crisis among students. The pantry recorded nearly 2,900 visits in 2022 and is on track for close to 4,600 visits in 2024, according to student leaders.

This alarming trend, driven by skyrocketing living costs, underscores the harsh reality many students face as they struggle to make ends meet. Luciana Quiroa, president of the UPEI Student Union (UPEISU), emphasized the broader financial burdens students encounter, stating, “It’s not just affording food. It’s also paying rent, tuition, and other essential bills.” She noted that many students now prioritize other expenses, often skipping meals to afford necessities.

The UPEI Campus Food Bank, located in the W.A. Murphy Student Centre, is seeing unprecedented demand. Reports indicate that students are waiting 30 to 40 minutes for meal distributions, with attendance doubling from 60 people a few weeks ago to 120 this week. “This is an invisible epidemic,” Quiroa added, reflecting on the rising numbers.

The urgency for food support is echoed by recent findings from the Canadian Campus Wellbeing Survey, revealing that one in five post-secondary students report experiencing food insecurity. Jennifer Taylor, a UPEI professor and food insecurity researcher, highlighted the misconception that these challenges are temporary, noting, “It’s very real when they’re living it. It’s traumatic and interferes with their ability to succeed academically.”

Taylor pointed out that many students, especially international students, are working multiple jobs just to cover basic living expenses. “I know some international students who are working three jobs just to keep a roof over their heads,” she said. This stark reality emphasizes the deepening crisis in student affordability.

In response, the P.E.I. government has launched a new Community Food Fund, offering grants of up to $10,000 to individuals and organizations promoting access to nutritious food. While this initiative provides essential support, experts like Taylor argue that it does not address the root causes of food insecurity. “We’ve been doing the stopgap approach since 1981,” she remarked.

Taylor advocates for more systemic solutions, pointing to successful poverty reduction strategies in Newfoundland and Labrador that significantly decreased food insecurity among social-assistance households. “Lasting progress will require putting more money in people’s pockets,” she said.

Back at the UPEI food bank, Quiroa is pushing for expanded support, suggesting that more funding for daily meals could alleviate some financial stress for students. “Even a $10 or $15 meal can make a significant difference,” she stated.

This urgent situation at UPEI is a microcosm of a larger trend affecting campuses across Canada and beyond. As the cost of living continues to rise, students are increasingly relying on food banks to survive, making immediate action and support more critical than ever.

As this situation develops, the need for sustainable solutions to combat food insecurity on campus becomes increasingly pressing. Students, university officials, and community leaders must rally together to address this growing crisis before it deepens further.