The Sydney University Postgraduate Representative Association (SUPRA) has opened a new food pantry for postgraduate students in the Wentworth building. Based on the successful FoodHub model managed by the University of Sydney Union (USU), the pantry is free for all SUPRA members. All postgraduate students are eligible to become SUPRA members.
Open from Monday to Thursday 10am to 4pm, the pantry is currently in a trial phase and over 50 students attended to collect basic staples on its opening day.
The pantry is being funded by an initial $8000 contestable Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) grant that SUPRA applied for last year. The first food order, covering a full week of services, cost $500. Based on the initial demand and student feedback, the next order has been increased to $700.
The initial grant also funded furniture and other setup costs. SUPRA has a pool of around 100 volunteers they can draw on to staff the pantry.
SUPRA told Honi that all food is ordered directly from supermarkets and independent grocers, and that they expected the pantry to cost $1000 a week once demand picks up.
SUPRA President Weihong Liang told Honi the organisation would apply for a new SSAF grant of between $30,000 and $40,000 this year to make sure the pantry remains financially viable.
When asked if they would implement a booking system and item limits like FoodHub did last year, Liang said that the pantry “only being open for postgraduate students” meant that was unlikely but they would review all processes after the trial phase ended.
In a statement, USU President Naz Sharifi told Honi they would provide support and insight to the SUPRA team based on their experience with FoodHub.
Sharifi also highlighted that demand for cheaper food options on campus continues to grow.
“The demand remains high for FoodHub and we have definitely seen a higher uptake which speaks to the rising cost of living crisis that is impacting students. We provided 97,759 heavily subsidised or free meals to students in 2023.”
Last year, SUPRA wrote to the university proposing they open a dining hall on campus to provide a buffet-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner to students at a below market rate. SUPRA then conducted a survey of 200 students which found 97% supported the idea.
In response to increasing calls for more action on food security, the university established a Campus Food Student Advisory Group.
A university spokesperson told Honi that the Advisory Group rejected SUPRA’s dining hall proposal because most USyd students live off campus.
“This model works best when a large percentage of students live on campus, using the dining hall from morning to evening. Most of our students live off campus.”
Instead, the spokesperson said, “we’ve significantly increased self-catering facilities on campus, with six new kitchenettes and three new self-service convenience stores.”
The spokesperson also noted that the university’s funding of FoodHub enabled it to increase its operating hours from two to five days a week.
“We also provide financial support for USU to provide free and heavily subsidised meals to students throughout the year, including almost 100,000 meals last year.”
Liang said that SUPRA still supports the dining hall proposal, arguing it was common practice in countries like China and the United States.
In response to the university’s concerns, he said the dining hall would encourage more students to stay on campus because it provided cheaper food options and that at other universities, dining halls were often “the cultural centre of the campus.”
Postgraduate students who would like to provide feedback on the pantry can scan the QR code at the front or talk to the SUPRA office reception.