Introducing Full-Bellies: A Student-Led Initiative for Food Security

Full Bellies, Happy Bellies

April 1, 2025

Emma sat in the library, her stomach empty but her mind full of worries. She had just spent her last few dollars on rent, leaving nothing for groceries. As a full-time student juggling classes, assignments, and a family, she never imagined choosing between eating and staying housed. But this was her reality—and she wasn’t alone.

A starving truth for many post-secondary students. The many pressures of student life can often mask this unspoken struggle of food insecurity.

Who are We?

This initiative was made possible with the encouragement and support of Enactus, an entrepreneurial platform that empowers post-secondary students to create projects with meaningful social, environmental, and economic impact.

Through Enactus, Full Bellies was born—an organization created by students, for students, with the goal of starting an open and honest conversation about food security and providing real solutions for those in need.

What is Food Security?

According to the World Bank, food security is defined as a state in which “all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.”

However, food security is not always stable. This means that no one individual may experience a state of food security at all times, this can be something that changes throughout one’s life. Some students may find themselves temporarily food insecure, while others may struggle with long-term inaccessibility.

The reality is that food security is not guaranteed, and it can change rapidly due to circumstances beyond one’s control—such as choosing between paying rent, heating their home, or purchasing groceries.

How Can We Make a Change?

We start by talking about it, sharing our stories, and building our resources. Sometimes, when given the resources, we are given the ability to change and make our lives better. Knowledge and support can help us navigate challenging times, allowing us to focus on what brings us joy.

Change begins with awareness, conversation, and action. We believe that sharing our experiences and knowledge can empower students to seek help without stigma. Here’s how we can work together:

·       Breaking the Silence: The first step is acknowledging that food insecurity exists among students. Talking about it openly helps reduce stigma and fosters a culture of support.

·       Providing Resources: Knowledge is power. By connecting students with food banks, meal programs, and campus-based initiatives, we can help bridge the gap between those in need and the resources available to them.

·       Encouraging Peer Support: Sometimes, just knowing you’re not alone can make a difference. Our platform offers a safe space where students can share their stories and strategies for overcoming food insecurity.

·       Advocating for Policy Changes: Institutions and policymakers need to recognize food insecurity as a legitimate barrier to education. By advocating for accessible meal plans, financial aid options, and food assistance programs, we can work towards long-term solutions.

People grow and thrive in diverse circumstances, but when faced with adversity, that growth can be difficult. As post-secondary students, we already navigate a multitude of challenges- academic pressures, financial constraints, and balancing work-life commitments. One thing that should never be an obstacle is access to food.

We are building our community of students eager to grow and diversify our network with like-minded individuals. We are a group of passionate, empathetic, and understanding students and faculty committed to recognizing and addressing the impact of food inaccessibility among the student population.  

Resources and Support for Students

As an NSCC post-secondary student, you have access to resources within your institution, as well as external community resources. However, students studying online through eCampus may experience additional challenges in accessing food support services as they are not physically on-site with other students. That is why we are committed to building a list of resources on our website.

Looking Ahead: Creating a Future with Food Security

Raising awareness about this growing social issue is powerful and essential. By standing together and fostering open conversations, we can break the stigma surrounding food insecurity. Full-Bellies is committed to supporting students, advocating for change, and ensuring that no one feels alone in their struggle.

Together, we can create a future where every student has access to the nourishment they need to focus, thrive, and succeed. Let’s build a campus community where full bellies lead to happy, healthy, and empowered students.

What’s Next?

If you know of a valuable food resource that isn’t listed, we encourage you to reach out and share it with us. Our goal is to create a comprehensive, easily accessible database that can benefit as many students as possible.