ANU Food Pantry Changes Causes Student Concern During Cost of Living Crisis

Written by Brianna Elliott

The recent change in who can access ANU’s Community Connect Food Pantry has resulted in significant frustration from students, particularly as many are being acutely affected by the cost of living crisis. 

The previously unrestricted Food Pantry now requires students to complete an online form prior to entry. Only once an ANU referral service has reviewed the application  are students eligible and receive access to the Food Pantry on campus.

An ANU spokesperson says that the “form will operate like the clinical services intake model, where students self-identify that they need food support”.

They further highlight this form is a “new model for the ANU Community Connect” which aims to “better target ANU students who are in the highest need of food support and ensure they get the level of food support they need”.

Notably, ANUSA has responded to this change by “advocating to the ANU that [they] believe that there needs to be an open food pantry on campus”, says the ANUSA President Phoenix O’Neill. 

Moreover, an alternative ANUSA suggested in discussion with ANU was for “[ANUSA] to run the open food pantry if ANU was doing a restricted one, but [they] have not been given the funding to pursue that option.” 

Students have taken their frustrations to ANU Confessions, an anonymous Facebook group, to share feelings of annoyance, disgust and embarrassment at the ANU’s decision to limit access to the Food Pantry.

One student writes, “this closure will adversely affect regional, international and working class students at most, and at a time like this when we are all struggling”. 

Despite an ANU spokesperson confirming that the new required form is objective and non-personal, by noting it is “non-intrusive and includes basic student information” as well as including “three statements based on the Hunger Vital Sign”, many students still believe it is an unfair model to enforce.

A post made to the confession page considers how “there will be many more [students] whom the service provides relief for the cost of living, yet they now do not qualify as they can technically meet their nutritional needs”. 

One student provided a personal account of how this change has already affected their day to day life as a result, “I eat two minute noodles every night because I got turned away from ANU’s free food pantry, despite being on max youth allowance”. This sentiment and experience was echoed by many peers in the comments and likes section of the confession. 

However, an ANU spokesperson reasons that this new change is not limited to ANU, and is instead based on “extensive research and best practices in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America”.

ANU continues to note the “food relief support will be available during the year Monday to Friday during business hours”. Students argue that these restricted opening hours, further excludes students who have work and study commitments during working and weekday hours.

For students who do not meet the requirements to gain entry into Community Connect’s Food Pantry, or simply need food and assistance outside of their opening hours, President O’Neill highlights that “ANUSA provides four core meal services for students” as alternative options instead. 

The first alternative option is the BKSS free breakfast which runs every morning during the week, excluding weekends. The second is the Student Bites program which provides groceries and non-perishable packs to students. 

O’Neill emphasises that ANUSA “offer[s] lunches through vouchers to the food coop” as a third alternative. Another option for students is the grocery voucher program, where “students can receive a maximum of $50 worth of grocery vouchers per semester from [ANUSA’s] Student Assistance Team”. 

In addition to their alternative Food Pantry options, “ANUSA offers a variety of grant and welfare services for students facing financial hardship”. O’Neill also encourages students to “look for bursaries at their college and at their residential halls”. 

Despite the concerns raised by both ANUSA and ANU students, an ANU spokesperson stresses that “it is important for students to understand Community Connect is not an emergency food relief service”.

For anyone who has questions or concerns about ANU’s changes to the Community Connect Food Pantry model, you can email [email protected], or find more information through Student Life’s website, Facebook or Instagram.  

Graphics by Luc Mattiske

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