As food prices in Canada continue to climb, so is the pressure students are facing to balance a heathy diet and their budgets. According to Statistics Canada, the price of food in Canada increased by 2.8 per cent in February 2025.
In response, Durham College (DC) offers support through a campus food bank, food bursaries and nutritional seminars for students.
DC has partnered with Feed the Need in Durham to develop a food bank which helps full-time students who are experiencing food insecurity. Students can register online or in person to get monthly access to fresh produce, meat, dairy products, non-perishable and perishable food items.
DC also offers an annual Food Access Bursary which supported nearly 1,000 students during the past holiday season. The bursary is supported through donations from DC employees, the DCSA and the Durham College Alumni Association (DCAA), according to the college website.
In March, the college hosted a nutritional session called “How to Pack a Healthy Lunch” at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre (CRWC).
Sylvia Emmorey, a nutritionist, hosted the seminar and said she was inspired to run the event due to the high cost of food and the approaching stress of exam season for students.
Throughout the seminar, Emmorey discussed the importance of lunch and how packing one can be more beneficial for students.
When you make your own lunch rather than eating fast food, it helps save money according to Emmorey.
Saving money has never been more crucial for students. With the combination of food prices and the busy lifestyle of a student, a challenge is created for students to maintain a healthy diet.
Dr. JoAnne Arcand, a nutritional scientist and professor at Ontario Tech University, said that when food prices rise on top of other expenses such as the cost of daily living and rent, individuals are left with less money to work with.
“What often gets compromised first is the quality of the food,” said Dr. Arcand.
This means individuals cannot purchase the food items that are healthier and “promote good health” according to Dr. Arcand.
Tonya Ebanks, a business administration student at Trent University, said when she is unable to buy something she really wants, she substitutes it for something else. She also said that one of the things that helps with the cost of food is using coupons and browsing through sales.
However, Ebanks also shared how her schedule has a huge impact on her diet.
Ebanks said she opts to eat something quick rather than cook something that’s actually nutritious depending on what time of the day her classes are, how long they run for and how hungry she is at the time.
According to Canada’s Food Guide, eating healthy is important as it helps you feel good, provides the body with energy and helps to prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease and type two diabetes.
To help students still eat well on a budget, Emmorey offered tips during the seminar. One idea was to create “adult lunchables” or “snacky foods” by combining several healthy snacks into a full meal.
Emmorey also recommended using leftovers and to cook double whenever you’re cooking which creates less work. She also said to incorporate “repurpose meals.” Some examples she provided were using leftover meatloaf in your spaghetti sauce and leftover chicken for wraps.
To help students who have moved away from home for the first time and struggle to make their own meals, Emmorey suggested trying three or five ingredient recipes with friends.
“Don’t be afraid to try things,” said Emmorey. “Cook with friends and you make friends.”