British Columbia Institute of Technology
IN-14: Food Bank

BCIT hosts a Food Pantry for students on the Burnaby campus that is run by the BCIT Student Association (BCITSA) and volunteers.

Food insecurity has severe implications for one’s health and well-being. Post-secondary students are particularly vulnerable, with over 50% of students at Canadian post-secondary institutions experiencing moderate to severe levels of food insecurity. In a survey of BCIT students conducted from January to March 2023:

• One third of respondents were food insecure. This number rose to almost 47% of international students.


• 35% could not afford to eat balanced meals.


• 23% found that the food they purchased did not last and they could not purchase more.

The Food Support Hub run by the BCITSA is an all-encompassing service that includes several different avenues for students to access support. The Food Pantry is one of these avenues and is a free initiative where BCIT students can obtain accessible, nutritionally, and culturally appropriate food. The Pantry is stocked with fresh food, shelf-stable food, and hygiene products. Students can access the pantry once per week and are asked to “take only what you need and will consume.” In September 2023, visits to the Food Pantry rose by 60% compared to the same time in 2022.

The Pantry relies on donations from stakeholders and community partners. Food Drive campaigns are run by various departments at BCIT throughout the year. The biggest campaign is held in the Fall and is aimed at all employees. As of January 2024, and since the Pantry’s inception in 2022, the Drives have successfully raised over 8,800 pounds of donations and collected over $6,000. Employees are also encouraged to drop off donations throughout the year.

While the Food Pantry may only be accessed by current BCIT students, the Community Fridge program is open to all members of the BCIT community, including staff and faculty. This fridge is a partnership with BCIT, BCITSA and the Burnaby Primary Care Network and is available to anyone who wants to take food from it or leave food in it. It is an accessible, safe, and low-barrier resource for individuals to access food on their terms, taking what they need, when they need it. It provides a place for people on campus to give and take, reduce waste, and helps to ensure that members of the BCIT community can feed themselves and their families. It is another avenue of the Food Support Hub that is addressing food insecurity on campus.