CNERG: Bridging food security and food safety on Ontario campuses
Ken Diplock, School of Business
Food insecurity affects nearly 40 per cent of Canadian university students, yet efforts to address it often overlook an important factor: food safety. This project explored food security initiatives across Ontario post-secondary campuses with two key objectives: to identify existing programs, especially creative or lesser-known hidden gems, and to apply a food safety and waste reduction lens to those initiatives.
The research identified five common types of campus food programs: food banks, meal-sharing, cooking lessons, food scholarships, and community gardens, alongside peer nutrition education, food access maps, and anonymous food lockers. Researchers found that most initiatives do not include food safety messaging, which can lead to unnecessary food waste or health risks. To address this, the team created targeted safety materials including infographics, package stickers, and recommendations for integrating safe handling practices into student programming.
The project also recommends offering food handler certification, providing thermometers at campus events, and including safety content in “learn to cook” workshops. With plans to continue promoting these recommendations across Conestoga, the researchers hope to support a more holistic approach to food access where security, safety, and sustainability go hand in hand.