End hunger achieve food security, and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
The goal works to end all forms of hunger and malnutrition by 2030, making sure all people–especially children–have sufficient and nutritious food all year. This involves promoting sustainable agricultural, supporting small-scale farmers and equal access to land, technology and markets.
Taking Action
Initiatives at Brock University
Food insecurity is a big issue for many university students, especially due to the financial and time commitments necessary to attend university.
In order to alleviate some of this stress, Brock University has partnered with the Brock University Students’ Union (BUSU), the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA), and Aramark Canada to provide food and resources to students who are unable to acquire a sufficient amount of nutritious food to meet their needs. Brock’s Food First provides students in need with a local grocery store gift card, as well as connections to community resources and other programming related to food insecurity.
Additionally, Brock University is proud to be able to provide food and resources to those in need through the BUSU Food Bank.
Brock also has a community garden where people can plant fruits and vegetables to be able to have access to fresh produce and improved nutrition. The garden also serves as a point of education whereby students are able to learn about growing their own food sustainably and enjoy the fruits of their labour.
For an entire week in February 2023, Brock supported students facing food insecurity through the Swipe it Forward program. Donations from $1 to $5 were accepted for the Food First Program on campus when individuals purchased food at Market Eatery, Hungry Badger and both DeCew and Lowenberger Fresh Food Company.
The Student-Athlete Leadership Council (SALC) started a Community Food Drive at weekend games for Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold. The initiative collected non-perishable food items at basketball games on Fridays and weekends for hockey and volleyball games.
The NCO-Agri-Food Innovation Research Day took place on Jan. 25, 2023 and included virtual presentations that highlighted key findings of three research projects which discussed strategies to enhance the Niagara and Ontario agricultural sectors. The day allowed for sharing of knowledge with key stakeholders about innovative technology and best practices.
The Brock University Seed Library offers free seeds to staff, students, and community members to “borrow” and plant in their home gardens. The cycle functions like a library where participants can borrow and return seeds free of cost. The goal of this Seed Library is to protect genetic diversity in our food system and promote public access to seeds.
Initiatives in the Niagara Region
Food Resources
There are several food resources in the Niagara Region to help those in need located throughout the Region. Specific cities or communities provide information on food banks, Meals on Wheels, and specific community outreach programs.
There are also several food safety concerns in Niagara which require product recalls, safety advisories and alerts. The Niagara Region offers several food safety resources for ensuring food safety and safe food handling while preparing food.
Niagara Food Security Network
The Niagara Food Security Network is a place to collaborate with community groups, non-profit organizations, charities, religious groups, and more to work towards food related needs. They hope to give food security to all in the Niagara Region.
Niagara Food Asset Map
The Niagara Food Asset Map is a way to find locations of community gardens, farmer’s markets, food banks, home delivered meals, community meals, school nutrition programs, and Good Food Box.
Individual Actions
Did you know that current estimates indicate approximately 690 million people go hungry, a number that increases by 10 million annually.
- Donate what you can to your local food bank
- Volunteer at Meals on Wheels.
- Support food assistance programs and volunteer.
- Many require various skills from social media, accounting, or writing.
- Speak up so others do not feel stigmatized and shamed when asking for help.
- Volunteer with United Way Niagara Food Security Network.
- Learn about food security, visit Meal Exchange for a food insecurity advocacy tool kit.
- Gain a better understanding of what it may be like to go hungry from books or documentaries.
- Support local farmers at a farmer’s market.
- Donate extra food to a local soup kitchen or someone in need.Help support breakfast clubs in schools to give kids the start they need to learn.
- Follow current news and attend the National Student Food Summit, last hosted virtually Sept 19 to October 3, 2020
- Donate what you can or become a company sponsor by contacting foodfirst@brocku.ca
