For students already stretched by the rising cost of living, getting groceries just got a little easier at Vancouver Island University (VIU). Loaves & Fishes has opened a free food market on the Nanaimo campus, bringing fresh food and other grocery staples directly to students who need them. “We’re always looking for ways to improve access in the community,” said Peter Sinclair, executive director of Loaves & Fishes. “We recognize that there’s a growing number of students that need food banking services.” VIU says more students are feeling the pressure as the cost of essentials continues to climb. But food insecurity isn’t always easy to spot. “One of the things about food insecurity is that, in a lot of ways, it’s hidden. There’s still a lot of stigma around food security,” said Chris Yeast, a manager with VIU’s Student Affairs department. The university hopes having the market on campus will make it easier for students to seek support in a place where they already feel comfortable. The VIU market is the 12th Loaves & Fishes location in Nanaimo and its first on a university campus. Students registered with Loaves & Fishes can access any of its free food markets, which are set up much like a store instead of receiving a pre-selected hamper. “Anything that you see in a grocery store could be in our free food markets,” Sinclair said. “They get to choose the food that they want.” The VIU market runs every Monday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Windsor Plywood Trades Discovery Centre, Building 108. More information about registration and accessing the free food markets is available through Loaves & Fishes.
