Winter 2021 food relief for Ryerson students experiencing food insecurity
As we near the one year mark of the global pandemic, Ryerson is announcing the launch of the second iteration of the university’s food insecurity program for Ryerson students experiencing food insecurity due to COVID-19.
Following a $27,000 investment from the university last year, Ryerson Food Services was able to provide more than 600 free produce boxes to students with unmet financial need in 2020.
We’re proud to announce that Food Services has entered into a new partnership with FoodShare Toronto (external link) to provide produce boxes to a limited number of Ryerson students living in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) over the Winter 2021 semester.
Overview of Ryerson’s food insecurity program
Beginning the week of February 15, participating students living in the GTA will have free produce boxes delivered to their personal residence by our partners at FoodShare Toronto. The frequency with which students will receive their free produce boxes (e.g. weekly, biweekly, etc.) and the length of the program will depend on the number of students that express interest and FoodShare Toronto’s capacity for deliveries.
A sample of the produce boxes that are available to students can be found on the FoodShare website (external link) .
Delivery
Produce box delivery is only available to Ryerson students living within FoodShare Toronto’s delivery zone (external link) . This map also provides an overview of approximate weekly delivery dates by region of the GTA. Please note that these delivery dates are subject to change based on FoodShare Toronto’s delivery volumes.
Due to the large volume of deliveries being undertaken by FoodShare Toronto, program participants are unable to request a specific delivery date and time.
Delivery of produce boxes will occur between 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week from the onset of the program. Participating students who have provided a phone number will receive a text from FoodShare Toronto one hour prior to their estimated delivery time and will receive a call when their produce box has been delivered.
Delivery to apartment buildings and condos
When delivering a produce box to an apartment or condo, if a delivery person is not buzzed into your building, your delivery will be returned to FoodShare Toronto’s distribution location. FoodShare Toronto will not attempt another delivery to your apartment or condo if they were unable to deliver your previous produce box.
Students who missed a delivery can contact Food Services at rueats@torontomu.ca to arrange for future produce box deliveries.
Complete the Ryerson Food Insecurity Program Expression of Interest form
Ryerson students interested in receiving free food support are encouraged to complete the (google form) Ryerson Food Insecurity Program Expression of Interest Form (external link) by 9 a.m. on Thursday, February 11.
Space in Ryerson’s food insecurity program is limited. Following the expression of interest deadline on February 11, spaces in the program will be awarded via a lottery process. Students selected for the program will be notified via email on Friday, February 12.
Students who complete the form after 9 a.m. on Thursday, February 11 may be considered for the lottery depending on the number of applications we receive.
All student information collected is confidential and will not be shared outside of Food Services and FoodShare Toronto.
Questions?
If you have any questions about Ryerson’s food insecurity initiative with FoodShare Toronto, please email rueats@torontomu.ca.