Using the Food Bank

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Using the Food Bank

The AMS Food Bank is open to all current UBC students or students enrolled at UBC Affiliated Colleges.  

To visit the food bank, you must bring a valid UBC ID and complete an intake form. Please complete the form in advance to help avoid delays. You will be asked at the check-in desk to show the end-of-survey photo as proof of intake form completion. 

The Food Bank’s policies and guidelines for sorting and distribution of food items outline how we determine what food is suitable for food bank client consumption. It can be found here: AMS of UBC Food Bank Food Distribution Guidelines 

Food Bank Policies 

• Family pack: Clients must show proof of dependents before being able to pick up a family sized food pack. To do this, please bring a piece of government-issued ID (does not need to be Canadian) for any dependents that you support on your first visit this term (ex. BC Services Card, birth certificate, passport, driver’s license, etc). We do not accept photos or copies of IDs for dependents, you must bring the physical ID. After this initial verification, you will be able to pick up a family pack for all future visits in this term without showing ID for dependents. 
  •  A dependent is anyone who relies on you as their primary source of income. This can include children, parents, or a significant other. Please remember that for the purpose of the Food Bank, dependents cannot be other UBC students, as we ask that all students pick up their own food packs.  
• First term visit: During your first visit to the AMS Food Bank this term, students must be collecting food for themselves. The student indicated on the ID card must be the person collecting food for the first visit. If you wish to authorize someone else to pick up for you for the rest of the term, inform check-in staff of the names of the people you are authorizing during a visit prior to them coming to the Food Bank on your your behalf.   
• Visit limits: Clients can access the Food Bank up to 16 times per term.
• Number of people/card: Only two people can come inside the Food Bank per student card. This means the student card holder (or an authorized alternative person) can be present along with one other person only. All other members of your group should wait outside away from the Food Bank (there is seating nearby in the Life Building and Nest).  
• Re-packing bags: If you need to re-organize your food in your bag, please do so outside of the Food Bank or at the designated repacking table at the back of the Food Bank.  
• Product availability: Only items at distribution tables are available for selection. If we are out of a staple item such as milk or eggs, or if you have a dietary restriction, please ask a staff member or volunteer for help. Staff cannot search through back-inventory for specific donated items, to ensure fairness for clients who come to the Food Bank throughout the day.   
• Lineup guideline: Bags cannot be used as placeholders in the Food Bank line.  
• Intake survey: At the start of each term, clients are asked to complete the intake survey before using the Food Bank. There is a QR code at the main entrance of the Food Bank or you can fill in the survey ahead of time through this link. Please take a picture of the code at the end of the survey to show front desk staff. 

Flagging Policy  

The Food Bank has a Flagging system to help ensure that service-users follow the terms of service and policies for the Food Bank. All clients will be asked to sign the terms of service agreement as a part of their intake form, and follow these standards:  

• Create and uphold a respectful, safe environment free from verbal/sexual harassment, derogatory language, and assault 
• Wait in line properly (no bag placeholders or line-skipping) unless granted accessibility accommodations by staff 
• Follow all posted food item limits based on my designated pack size (Family or Individual) 
• Refrain from photography or videography of other clients on the premises 
• Not enter staff-only areas unless specifically invited by staff or volunteers 

Failure to follow these terms may result in one or more “Flags” on my account based on the incident’s severity. Three active flags will result in suspension of my Food Bank access until one or more flags expire (each flag remains active for 1 year from date of issue). During any suspension period, clients may always authorize a third party to collect food on my behalf. Clients may appeal any suspension by contacting the AMS Ombudsperson. 
 
Flags will be issued by Food Bank staff. The flagging system follows a tiered structure: 

1 Flag: Minor infractions such as leaving a bag as a placeholder in line, cutting in line.  

2 Flags: Moderate infractions such as videotaping and photographing other service users, disrespectful or rude conduct towards staff, volunteers, or other clients.  

3 Flags: Severe infractions such as aggressive or threatening behavior towards staff, volunteers, or other clients including physical violence. 

The AMS Food Bank remains committed to transparency, fairness, and ensuring students have access to the Food Bank services they need.