Food Security, Mutual Aid and the UCalgary Alumni Community

Food insecurity is on the rise across the country. A 2021 survey by Meal Exchange found that 66.1% of students at UCalgary experience some level of food insecurity ranging from mild to severe. As the cost of food, housing and tuition continue to increase, more students are feeling the pinch on their plates.

Additionally, marginalized and underserved communities are disproportionately impacted by this cost-of-living crisis. Join us, in collaboration with the Alumni Food Security Network, this World Food Day to discuss food insecurity on our campus and in our communities, and to explore the concept of mutual aid in an effort to combat these issues. 

Volunteer lead, Street Cats YYC

Lee Bee is the volunteer lead of Street Cats YYC, a grassroots-run, harm-reduction focused outreach team that goes out on the streets of Calgary every Wednesday night. Their intent is to support and liberate PWUD (people who use drugs), sex workers and the street-involved with compassion and understanding. They are dedicated to fighting against misinformation and oppressive systems through education, no- to low-barrier services, advocacy and meaningful engagement. Street Cats YYC is keeping their boots on the ground to ensure direct action is taking place within our community.  

Volunteer, Alumni Food Security Network

During her time at UCalgary, Nicole Chown, BSW’22, got involved with Food Justice Now to better understand food insecurity and help to address the issue on campus, leading her to the concept of “green” social work which looks at a more holistic approach that acknowledges environmental justice alongside social justice. Nicole continues to work on the issue of food insecurity on campus by being involved with the Alumni Food Security Network and will bring this intersectional lens to the panel.  

Master’s student, Simon Fraser University 

During their time as a student, Mikayla Eastman, BA’22 (Political Science), BA’22 (Law and Society), was heavily involved in food security work both on- and off-campus, including co-founding Food Justice Now, promoting the 2021 Food Experience Survey, and holding several engagements with staff, students and faculty to discuss food insecurity among UCalgary students. Mikayla has a passion for food security that continued after graduation. Currently, Mikayla is a second-year master’s student at Simon Fraser University’s School of Public Policy, focusing on research into food security and food policy.

Organizer, Food Justice Now

Prakriti Pathania is a third-year UCalgary student majoring in community rehabilitation and disability studies with a minor in health and society. She has been a member of Food Justice Now since 2021. Prakriti is passionate about Food Justice Now’s essential work, as food insecurity continues to directly impact students on campus due to the rate of tuition increase, lack of accessibility and lack of accommodating housing options. Her work with Food Justice Now is focused on addressing food insecurity in the campus community in new and non-traditional ways. 

Member, Alumni Food Security Network

Haris Ahmad, BSc'23, has been involved with food justice since high school. He was first inspired to tackle food justice due to his experience facing food insecurity when he first moved to Canada. Ahmed was a member of Food Justice Now as a UCalgary student and went on to help lead a national non-profit food rescue before working with the Alumni Food Security Network. Haris is an avid reader and TV show/movie watcher and enjoys trying new kinds of food.