Foundational Report on Food Insecurity within the University of Ottawa’s Graduate Student Population

Food insecurity is a pressing issue among graduate students at the University of Ottawa, where high tuition, inadequate stipends, and record high living costs make it difficult to afford nutritious meals. Food banks play a vital role in bridging this gap by offering accessible, affordable, and culturally inclusive food options that help students balance their academic, financial, and
personal pressures. Without these supports, students face physical and mental health challenges that undermine their academic success and the university’s broader research capacity. While food banks cannot solve the root causes of financial insecurity, they remain an essential resource for sustaining student well-being, equity, and productivity, underscoring the need to strengthen
and expand these services on campus.

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This report was created in response to the withdrawal of graduate students’ access to the University of Ottawa’s food bank. It is being provided to the Graduate Students' Association des Étudiant(e)s Diplômé(e)s (GSAÉD) as a resource to support further advocacy for graduate students facing food insecurity. This report serves as an initial examination of the topic,
supplying a foundation for further research in subsequent phases of the advocacy campaign.

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Access the full report below: