‘I’m just very broke’: How a market on campus is helping students afford fresh food

Volunteer Uwem Isip (Left) and USSU President Krunal Chavda (Right). (Carla Shynkaruk/CTV News)

As food insecurity continues to be a real concern in Saskatoon, many don’t think of the toll a lack of healthy and economical food choices takes on university students, but that’s something the University of Saskatchewan Student’s Union (USSU) is helping to combat.

Having access to good food choices is an issue for some on the USask campus.

“I’m just very broke and I’m on a budget,” Rylan Buffalo-Brooks, told CTV News.

She’s a first-year student at the U of S, hoping to pursue a degree in chemistry.

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She appreciates the fresh food market being provided by USSU in conjunction with Chep Good Food, a Saskatoon group that helps provide affordable fresh food.

“I just needed some spices at the moment and they have little containers and because I’m a single student – you just need it for yourself. I bought some two months ago – and I still have it,” she added.

Krunal Chavda is the current USSU President and says the market is more important now than ever.

“We are living in an affordability crisis. The usage of food banks all over the country is on the rise. We are, very happy to provide this service to all of our students,” he said.

For bio/med student Uwem Isip who volunteers regularly at the market, he sees the benefits for his fellow students who visit. Customers can get a banana for 50 cents, a bag of carrots for two dollars.

“The customer was like, it’s half of what she’d pay at a grocery store so that’s a good price,” Isip said.

USSU has been running the market since 2013 – but organizers have noted that the need is increasing.

“The food centre in general, is a very well operated and needed service, and a lot of students are actually, benefiting a lot, especially in these times of hardship,” Chavda said.

It’s not just an issue of an affordability. The market is working to change attitudes about choosing fresh foods.

“We are trying to promote healthy living and healthy eating on campus,” Chavda added.

However, that’s not always easy when the usual fast-food choices are so readily available.