Resources

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Resources

On-Campus

• UBC Graduate Student Society
  • The GSS GradsEatWell Food Security Program, supported by UBC, offers subsidized and nutritious meals to UBC-V graduate students. Meals must be RSVP’d and can be picked up or enjoyed at the Graduate Life Centre (GLC). Registration closes 48 hours before the delivery date. Ensure you bring your student ID for access and meal collection.
• UBC Sprouts
  • Sprouts is a non-profit student-run food service outlet. They carry local, nutritious, sustainable food options that are affordable. They offer free meals Mon – Thurs:  9:30 – 4:30,  Fri: 12:00 – 2:00, and also have a community freezer. UBC Sprouts is open during the winter session only.
• Agora Cafe
  • Agora Cafe is a student-run cafe that has inexpensive vegan and vegetarian food options. Monday – Friday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, located in the basement of the H.R. Macmillan Building (2357 Main Mall). Open during the winter session.
• LFS|US Wednesday Night Dinners
  • Throughout the Winter terms, the LFS|US hosts bi-weekly, vegan Wednesday Night Dinners open to UBC students and staff in Agora Space in MCML. These nutritious meals are  $5 for only LFS students, $6 for non-LFS, and the menu changes each week. For more information follow @lfsusubc on Instagram.
• UBC Farmers’ Market
  • The UBC Farm runs seasonal farmers’ markets from June to November. The multi-vendor farmers’ market offers a variety of food including produce, meats, prepared foods and much more. UBC students save 10% on all products at the UBC farm stall. 
• UBC Food Hub
  • Website offering information about low-cost and free food on campus, among other services.
• UBC Food Hub Market
  • Located in CIRS, the food hub market provides at-cost grocery items. Open 10:30am to 3:30pm, Tuesday-Thursday.
• UBC Meal Share Service
  • UBC students can apply and receive funds for food purchasing through two different streams: UBC card or a grocery store gift card.  
• Acadia Food Hub
  • Serves the UBC community. Contact noah.adekunle@alumni.ubc.ca for more information.
• Campus Nutrition
  • Website offering campus food guides for students to make their own food and nutrition decisions.

Off-Campus Resources

• Greater Vancouver Food Bank
  • Provide grocery items, including perishable and non-perishable items to registered members. See website and below for more information.
  • Full list & map of their Community Agency Partners:
  • What they do: The GVFB offers 10-15 grocery items a week, maybe more depending on the extra perishable donations they receive. The amount of food you receive is based on the number of people in your household.
  • How to access the resource: If you are a new client, you will receive food on your first visit to any location, but will need to register after the first visit.
  • To register as a client you need:
    • Picture identification
    • Proof of address (like a telephone or utility bill)
    • Care cards or any government-issued ID for all the dependents living with you
• Vancouver Westside:
  • Kits Cares Cafe Grocery Program (Free Food Resource): Distributes groceries every Thursday 12:30-2:30 pm 
  • Food Stash Foundation Pedal to Plate Program (Low-Cost Resource): Runs in-house programming including Rescued Food Box, Rescued Food Market, and Community Fridge. 
• Vancouver Eastside:
  • Little Mountain Neighbourhood House Food Distribution (Free Food Resource): Provides access to healthy, affordable and culturally appropriate food. Contact fooddistribution@lmnhs.bc.ca to be added to the waitlist.
  • Marpole Community Food Hub (Free Food Resource): Grocery distribution runs every Thursday 10 am-12 pm. Also provides bagged dinners-to-go from 6-7 pm on Thursdays. 
  • Kiwassa Neighbourhood House Community Food Market & Food Bank (Free Food Resource)
    Provide easily accessible, high-quality, community-based food programs to support the neighbourhood.
  • Collingwood Neighbourhood House (Free Food Resource): Runs several programs to provide sustainably grown, local and multicultural food in the Renfrew-Collingwood neighbourhood. You can request a hamper by registering online.
  • Tenth Church Oasis Cafe (Free Food Resource): Fruit and vegetable stand and takeout meals. Runs Monday 5:30-7:30 pm and Tuesday 11 am-1 pm.
  • Saige Community Food Bank and Community Kitchen: A no barrier safe space for the LGBTQ2+ community to access healthy food such as fresh produce and baked goods. 
• Downtown Vancouver:
  • Gordon Neighbourhood House Community Lunch (Low-Cost Resource): The Gordon Neighbourhood House provides community lunches at a low cost. Runs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 
  • Gathering Place Community Centre Meals (Low-Cost Resource): Gathering Place Community Centre provides low-cost meals that are open to everyone. Meals range between $2.25-3.50. Open from 9 am-7 pm, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. 
  • Guru Nanak’s Free Kitchen (Free Food Resource): Every Saturday at 1pm and Sunday at 12pm free hot vegetarian meals are served at the Downtown Eastside (located outside of Carnegie Centre).
• Community Fridges and Pantries in Vancouver:
  • Marpole Little Free Pantry
  • Kitsilano Neighbourhood House Little Free Pantry 
  • LOAF (Local Open Access Fridge)
  • Vancouver Community Fridges in Kitsilano, LMNH, Victoria Drive, and Women’s Health Collective
• Richmond:
  • Richmond Food Bank (Free Food Resource) 
  • The Richmond Food Bank has four locations and provides grocery products to Richmond residents once a week. Please register online here and make sure to bring all IDs for everyone in your household on your first visit. 
• Burnaby and New Westminster:
  • Burnaby Neighbourhood House (Free Food Resource) 
  • Food Hubs are located at the North and South locations for Burnaby residents experiencing food insecurity. Contact the Burnaby Food Hubs to set an appointment and for more information.
  • Ryan Rainbow Emergency Food Outreach (Free Food Resource): Offers food distribution on Thursdays for the Burnaby North area.
  • Don’t go Hungry (Free Food Resource): Free grocery hampers are available for residents in New Westminster and Burnaby. Open every Saturday at four locations. Registration is required for one location.
• Coquitlam:
  • SHARE Food Bank (Free Food Resource): Provides food distribution for people living in the Tri-Cities area. Registration is in person and proof of address and  ID is needed. Refer to the website for locations.
• Surrey and Delta:
  • Surrey Food Bank (Free Food Resource): Provides grocery items every 14 days to registered members. Potential clients must call to book an appointment before their first visit
    • To register as a client you need:
      • Must live north of 40 Avenue in Surrey, North Delta or Cloverdale 
      • Proof of address
      • Picture ID of each adult in the household
      • Proof of low income 
      • Proof of dependents 
    • More information at: https://www.surreyfoodbank.org/programs/registration-requirements/
  • Sources Food Bank – South Surrey/ White Rock (Free Food Resource): Provides weekly groceries to register clients living in the White Rock and South Surrey area (from 0 Ave to 40 Ave; from 120 St. to 196 St.).
    • To register as a client you need:
      • Photo ID
      • Proof of address
      • Proof of dependence 
  • Muslim Food Bank (Free Food Resource)
    • Provides food hampers on a monthly basis to Muslims and non-Muslims. 
    • To register please call 1-866-248-3868 
  • Guru Nanak Food Bank  (Free Food Resource)
    • Provides East Indian and Western groceries and is also open to those who are not Surrey residents. Registration is online for clients to receive groceries once a month.
  • South Delta Food Bank: Residents of Ladner, Tsawwassen, and the TFN can register and pick up food hampers on Wednesdays.
• Langley:
  • Sources Langley Food Bank (Free Food Resource): Provides groceries once per week for Langley residents (0 Ave. to the Fraser River, east of 196th St. and west of 276th St.) living on low-income.
    • To register as a client you need:
      • Proof of address
      • Picture ID of each adult in the household
      • Proof of dependents 
  • Langley Food Bank (Free Food Resource): Provides groceries once a week to Langley residents. Make sure to bring proof of your current Langley address and government ID for your first visit. Registration will be after the first visit to become a regular client.
    • To register as a client you need:
      • Proof of Current Address in Langley
      • Gov’t ID– one piece with picture and one secondary
      • Care card/birth cert. for children
      • Proof of income

Apps:

• TooGoodtoGo (Low-Cost Resource)
  • Offers unsold and surplus food at a discounted price based on your location. 

For more Resources:

Visit the Vancouver Food Asset Map and UBC Food Asset Map which list many free or low-cost groceries, kitchen and food programs, community gardens and more

Financial Resources

• UBC Enrollment Services
  All undergraduate students have a dedicated Enrollment Services Advisor to help with budgeting, applying for loans, and understanding UBC regulations.
• Student Aid BC
  Loans, grants, and scholarship
• Canada Student Aid
  Loans, grants, and more
• UBC Scholarships and Bursaries
  UBC has a range of financial support to reward students’ academic and extracurricular achievements including scholarships and bursaries.