The Food Justice program at Dawson has been significantly expanded this year. Free food is being offered five days a week to the Dawson community, a vital part of the College's commitment to well-being for all. Coordinated by the Office of Sustainability and funded by the Dawson Foundation and the Dawson Student Union, the program addresses food insecurity while advancing social justice and sustainability on campus.
Diana Rice of the Office of Sustainability explains that there is a broader understanding of sustainability that includes peace and social justice. "Food Justice programming is a critical piece," she says, due to its role in tackling the harmful impacts of industrial agriculture on the environment and marginalized communities. The program prioritizes ethical purchasing by sourcing organic and local food to reduce pollution, protect biodiversity, and support economic stability for vulnerable groups.
There is a major impact on students and the entire Dawson community. "A student once confided that being able to eat lunch or breakfast four days a week meant that they could give their mom a break in terms of groceries, which were becoming more and more unaffordable," Diana shared. "They said it was a relief because they already felt guilty about going to school and not working full time to help support the family. Knowing that they could help save money and keep food in the pantry at home longer made going to school more worthwhile and kept it accessible."
Employees have also shared how the program helps them. "I have had approximately three employees over the past year disclose that were it not for our food programming, they would struggle with food insecurity because of the increased costs of rents as well as food and other basic essentials," she said. "Our program allows them not to make uncomfortable choices between paying their rent or heating bill or food, or eat food which lacks nutrition, or worry if they will have sufficient amounts to eat daily."
The Food Justice program also offers students valuable volunteer opportunities that fulfill key learning outcomes, such as life skills in food preparation, hygiene, and cooking, essential for autonomous living. More fundamentally, the program recognizes that sustainability and well-being require a systemic approach connecting people, place, and community knowledge.
"Investing in food justice is an investment in the foundation of student success and community well-being," said Mitchell Rae of the Dawson College Foundation. "When students have reliable access to nutritious food, they are empowered to focus on their education, contribute to campus life, and envision a future where equity and sustainability go hand in hand. At the Dawson Foundation, we believe that supporting basic needs like food is essential to breaking down barriers and building a truly inclusive learning environment where every student can thrive."
The program's roots began with the Dawson Student Union's Dawson Dinin', a one-day-a-week vegan lunch service. Over the years, with contributions from the Peace Centre and eventually the Office of Sustainability, the initiative expanded to include Early Bird breakfasts and Sustainable Lunches multiple days per week. By the winter semester of 2025, the goal of offering free healthy meals Monday through Thursday was finally achieved. New this semester is the addition of the biweekly Open Harvest service operated by the Dawson Foundation every other Wednesday. They purchase food from an organization dedicated to reducing food waste and making food available to those in need. The Open Harvest offers students fresh -and not quite perfect- fruits and vegetables and baked goods to help lighten their grocery bills.
Running these meals requires careful planning and teamwork. Menus are set annually with ingredient tracking to accommodate dietary needs. Student and staff volunteers, typically three to seven students and two to four employees per service, work alongside community partners such as Miriam House, which provides volunteering opportunities for adults with disabilities. Food supplies are ordered from local grocers and delivered to campus for preparation and service.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive. In the first few weeks alone, nearly 1,000 meals were served across breakfasts and lunches, with participation expected to reach up to 450 meals weekly, not counting the food and meals provided by Open Harvest, the Food Bank of the Financial Aid Office, or the DSU's Dawson Dinin' lunch service.
The expanded Food Justice program exemplifies Dawson College's vision of sustainability intertwined with social justice, making the campus a welcoming, supportive space for all.
