Starting Tuesday, March 1, the Brock University Students’ Union (BUSU) will be offering free breakfast to students as part of the Food First Program.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., students can visit Isaac’s in the Student-Alumni Building to pick up a breakfast bag that will include juice, fruit, a snack and coffee coupon.

The Food First Program, which was introduced by BUSU about a decade ago and is now a partnership between BUSU, Brock University, the Graduate Students’ Association and Aramark Canada, addresses the growing issue of food insecurity among university students. Evolving from what was once a physical food bank on campus, the program now provides support to students in need by supplying them with grocery store cards to purchase essential goods.

“The students who are using our food bank program are in emergency situations,” said Kayleigh Rossetto, BUSU Director of Governance and Advocacy. “Our hope is that by providing a free breakfast, we are assisting students before they find themselves in a situation where they have no access to food.”

Rossetto said there has recently been a rise in the number of students accessing the Food First Program, meaning more students are facing food insecurity.

“The Food First Breakfast Program will help ensure students have access to a healthy meal twice a week to start the day,” she said.

The breakfast program will run every Tuesday and Thursday, while supplies last.

Along with donations from its partners, the Food First Program relies on support from the community. To donate, visit brocku.ca/food-first/