The Student Food Network launches to support the increasing

number of campus food banks on Canadian universities and colleges.



(Toronto, ON) Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - Food banks are popping up

on campuses across the country.Growing food bank use among students is a grim

reminder that tuition hikes and mounting economic pressures are weighing heavily on

Canadian students.



This dim reality is met by the passion of students to create real social change in

the communities where they live and learn. The Student Food Network (SFN) was

founded by students for students to address the growing need to connect campus food

centres to each other and a network of resources. This youth-led initiative connects

campus food bank coordinators across the country in a common mission of eradicating

student hunger by understanding the issues of student financial, physical and

emotional health surrounding inaccessibility to adequate nutrition. Through student

coordination and peer aid, the SFN will offer long-term support and education to

both the student population and general public.



Mara Kardas-Nelson, a 20 year-old International Relations student from the

University of British Columbia and active community leader is continuing the

development of this initiative and says, “The Student Food Network is important in

its role to both connect campus food banks across Canada and help aid students who

are dealing with hunger. I believe that student hunger has to be fought through

student mobilization, and the SFN is a perfect tool to do this. I’ve been a long

time believer in peer education, particularly with AIDS activism and health

education, and am excited to use the same tools in the fight against student food

security. The SFN provides the opportunity for all students, from all walks of

life, to join together to ensure that the public is aware of issues of student

hunger and that these issues are met with action and support.”



Over 100 student leaders and community supporters gathered on Tuesday, June 6th in

Toronto to launch this innovative student-initiative. Attending the launch, Melissa

Melo, a 23 year-old recent graduate from the University of Guelph-Humber says, “The

Student Food Network is a brilliant way to increase the ability of campus food banks

to serve students. It will also act as a key resource for students to start thinking

about why food banks must exist on our campuses at all.”



For additional information on the Student Food Network go to: www.studentfood.ca





Web Site = http://www.studentfood.ca



Contact Details = Amanda Ono

365-401 Richmond Street West

Toronto, ON

M5V 3A8

416-657-4489 ext. 3

hungryforchange@studentfood.ca