Studying on an empty stomach? That’s not normal. Let’s talk about it.
As a student, you don’t always have time to plan your meals, shop for groceries properly, or whip up elaborate recipes. Studying on an empty stomach: that’s not normal!
To better understand the reality of student eating habits, Équiterre surveyed over 600 students at CEGEPs and universities across Quebec in the fall of 2025. And, spoiler alert (or not), you’re definitely not alone in finding it hard to eat well on a budget on campus!
Here are the results from the 667 participating students. If you’re one of them, a big thank you for your time—and be sure to read all the way to the end, because our tips and recommendations for what’s next will be of great interest to you!
What's happening inside the fridge (and wallet)
The survey results are quite striking:
1 in 3: That's the number of students who say they've run out of food or had to limit their choices this year.
Skipping meals: Among the students who told us they ran out of food, 20% had to skip lunch or dinner due to a lack of money.
The taboo of asking for help: For those who experience hunger, half are too afraid to ask for food assistance. We get it: it’s not easy to take that first step!
The biggest challenges (and we totally get it!)
Struggling to eat well on campus isn’t due to a lack of willpower on students’ part, but rather a lack of resources:
Budget: This is the number one obstacle. Eating well on campus can be a real headache, especially when money is tight.
The kitchen: It’s not easy to make a good meal when you only have a single burner and not much space. In fact, only 24% of you have all the equipment needed to cook varied meals.
Culinary culture: If you’re an international student, it’s even harder because you don’t always have a support network (family, friends) nearby to help you.
What do we do with all this?
The findings of this survey aren’t going to be swept under the rug! Our project, Student Mobilization to Shop Smarter, Eat Better is here to try to make a difference:
On campuses:
Support 12 post-secondary campuses in Quebec over the next three years to increase knowledge of and access to nutritious, eco-friendly, and culturally appropriate food ; such as community food markets or better-stocked community fridges.
In your feeds: We’re launching a digital campaign to give you practical tips on how to save money and eat better—without the hassle and, most importantly, on a budget!
Within our society: We will use these insights to fuel a cross-campus discussion on sustainable solutions to promote in college and university communities.
What can YOU do about it?
While you wait to see more concrete actions taken on your campus, remember that you too can do your part! For example, getting involved with your school’s student association or student committee(s) can make a difference in improving food security on campus. A great initiative for you and your classmates!
Partners
Student Mobilization to Shop Smarter, Eat Better is a project of Équiterre, in collaboration with the Fédération étudiante collégiale du Québec (FECQ) and the Union étudiante du Québec (UEQ).
This project is made possible thanks to financial support from the Dufresne & Gauthier Foundation and the Government of Quebec as part of the 2025–2030 Youth Action Plan, coordinated by the Secrétariat à la Jeunesse.
