Lakehead University Launches Fresh Food Market to Combat Food Insecurity in Thunder Bay
Students at Lakehead University can now purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at lower prices than typical grocery stores. The university is addressing barriers to healthy eating by offering affordable produce directly on its Thunder Bay campus.
The Lakehead Fresh Market is a collaboration between the Lakehead University Student Union (LUSU) Food Resource Centre, Aramark, and the university’s conference services and student health and wellness departments. Aramark provides fruits and vegetables to the LUSU Food Resource Centre at cost, allowing students to buy the produce at a reduced rate. Faculty and staff also have access to the market.
The first market of the semester took place on Tuesday at the Agora, the heart of the campus.
“Many students on a budget struggle to afford fresh produce regularly,” explained Sierra Garofalo, director of food security at the LUSU Food Resource Centre. “Often, fresh items are the first to be cut from their shopping lists. We want to make healthy options more accessible for those who can’t afford them in stores.”
The Food Resource Centre, which also runs an emergency food program and other support services, assists over 200 students each month. Last school year, around 90 percent of its users were international students.
In addition to the fresh market, the centre is offering cooking classes this year, teaching students how to prepare healthy meals on a budget. “It’s a great opportunity to gain new skills, make friends, and realize you’re not alone in these challenges,” Garofalo added.
Lindsey Wachter, a health and wellness promoter with Lakehead University’s student health and wellness department, shared that the inspiration for the Lakehead Fresh Market came from previous markets run by the Roots Community Food Centre. By bringing the market in-house, they aim to offer it more frequently to better serve students.
Wachter emphasized the importance of having the market on campus, especially considering students’ busy class schedules and limited transportation options. “Many students living in residence don’t have a car, and taking the bus to grocery stores and carrying back heavy loads can be a challenge,” she said.
“Plus, most students either have small dorm-room fridges or share a fridge with several others. Being able to buy smaller amounts of produce more frequently makes it much easier for them.”
The markets will be held every second Tuesday, and students are encouraged to bring reusable bags. Those experiencing food insecurity can also receive a $5 coupon for the market from the LUSU Food Resource Centre.
