Grad Snacks Program
Tackling food insecurity for graduate students attending the University of Calgary's Foothills Campus.
Jessica Wager and Taylor Scheidl developed the GradSnacks program to fight food insecurity at UCalgary's Foothills Campus.
Dawn Smith
GradSnacks is a student-led initiative tackling food insecurity among graduate students at the University of Calgary Foothills campus, where there is lack of accessible nutritious snacks.
Graduate students at Foothills often live below the poverty line and stay on campus for long hours. A recent survey revealed that 55 per cent of graduate students face moderate to severe food insecurity issues. Rising housing, food and tuition costs are also contributing to declining mental and physical wellness amongst grad students on campus.
The GradSnacks program is improving food security and students have reported better mental wellbeing.
However, demand for the GradSnacks program far outweighs the current funding. In order to keep the program going, GradSnacks is seeking financial support from the community. Donate to the program at the button below.
If you have any questions or want more information about the program, please reach out to the founders, Taylor Scheidl at taylor.scheidl@ucalgary.ca and Jessica Wager at jessica.wager@ucalgary.ca.
I think it’s a fantastic program and really helps with not only physical but mental well-being of grad students
Grad Student
GradSnacks provides nutritious, portable snacks like protein bars, mixed nuts, trail mix, dehydrated apples, granola bars, and apple sauce 24 hours per day in the Zen Den at the Cumming School of Medicine.
Students develop and manage the program and are looking to expand the offerings to fresh fruit, if budget allows. You can help by donating any amount.