Did you know that the University of Guelph has a Food Market on campus that provides affordable fresh fruit and vegetables to the University of Guelph community? The goal of the market is to combat food insecurity by helping students to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables.  The market started in 2022 as a collaboration with the University of Guelph Sustainability Office, the Community Engaged Scholarship Institute, Arrell Food Institute and The SEED.

At the campus food market, fruits and vegetables are offered on a sliding scale payment system. This means that market visitors can choose what they pay within a given price range. When they check-out they can choose to take no discount or a 10%, 17% or 33% discount off their total. Market goers are almost always able to pay less than the price they would pay at a grocery store. In fact, in a recent survey, 96% of visitors said that prices at the market are affordable. 

Each week the Food Market serves over 200 students. A recent survey found that 80% of visitors reported buying more fruits and vegetables because of the market and 67% said that they are now able to eat enough fruits and vegetables because of the market. 

The market saw a huge expansion during the Winter 2024 semester. Previously only on Thursdays, markets are now offered 3 days of the week: Mondays in the OVC Cafeteria, Wednesdays in family housing residences and Thursdays in the University Centre. The Food Market now serves over 225 students each week. 80% of visitors report buying more fruits and vegetables because of the market at 67% say they are now able to eat enough fruits and vegetables because of the market. 

In addition to offering affordable produce, the market has also built a sense of community. Almost every week, the market works with a student group to select specialty items to sell at the market. For example, the market partnered with the Hong Kong Student Association to develop braised eggplant meal kits, the Guelph Black Students Association selected specialty items like plantains, okra and jerk spices to feature during February and the Muslim Student Association selected items like dates, pitas and nuts which were offered throughout Ramadan. 

The U of G Food Market has become a valuable program at the University of Guelph. The market is a non-profit and any money raised through purchases gets invested in purchasing more fresh fruits and vegetables at a discount. The market would not be able to run without the generous support from the Perry Family, Pepsi Foundation, the University of Guelph Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Fund, the Ontario Veterinary College and countless student volunteers who help run the markets. It has been amazing to see the growth of the market and it has attracted the attention international researchers and other universities across Canada. It is hoped that the market will continue to expand in the years ahead. The next big dream for the market team is to one day have a permanent location in the University Centre. 

Want to Learn More?

Visit the U of G Food Market Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uofgfoodmarket/