Food support and resources

There are several indicators that someone is experiencing food insecurity, they may include:

• They tell you they are skipping meals
• They appear frequently fatigued, have low energy or experience frequent illness
• They express anxiety and stress about food, depression or shame related to food access
• They experience difficulty concentrating and show signs of poor academic performance
• They may hoard food or overeat when food is available. 

For more information on food insecurity experienced by students in Australia see the Alliance x Foodbank 2024 Food Insecurity Impact Report.

If you believe a student may be experiencing food insecurity, encourage them to contact equity@cdu.edu.au. With the student's consent, you may also email on their behalf. Students can also use Ask Izzy to find local support services.

Emergency food pantries are available at our Casuarina, Danala and Sydney campuses. These can be found in the Casuarina Student Lounge (Red 3, Level 3) and outside the retreat spaces on level two at Danala. The pantries are filled intermittently with non-perishable foods and staff donations are always encouraged. Students experiencing food insecurity can take up to three items per day, though availability may vary due to demand. 

Donations to Emergency Pantries

Contributions of non-perishable in-date food are welcome. They include:

• Rice, pasta, pasta sauce, pesto
• Noodles (cup or 2 minute)
• Oats, lentils
• Breakfast cereals
• Spreads (peanut butter, jam)
• Gluten-free items
• Canned vegetables
• Canned tuna
• UHT Long-life Milk (alternative milks encouraged)
• Up & Go
• Treats (biscuits, chocolates)
• Basic condiments (salt, pepper, sugar)

Donations can be made directly to Emergency Pantries. Remember that not all students have transport, so smaller portions are appreciated. 

Regular events are held on campus that provide students with access to food, including breakfast and lunch. Events are advertised on the events page of the CDU Student Portal. Some of the regular events during semesters include:

• Toastie Tuesdays: Enjoy free toasties every Tuesday on Level 3 at Danala from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm during semester.
• Brainfood Wednesday: Grab a free snack every Wednesday at Casuarina Campus in the Student Lounge and near the library from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm during semester.
• CDU Student Council Free Breakfast: The CDU Student Council hosts a free weekly breakfast at the Casuarina, Danala and Sydney campuses.

CDU food hampers

CDU supports students experiencing food insecurity in several ways, including providing food hampers with non-perishable items to students who need them. These hampers are available at our Casuarina and Danala campuses. 

Foodbank referrals

For students based in the Northern Territory, we can arrange referrals to Foodbank locations in Darwin (Yarrawonga NT), Katherine, and Alice Springs. Please note that this option is best suited to students who have access to their own transport due to the distance of Foodbank sites from campus.

To register for a free food hamper or for a Foodbank referral, submit the Food Support Registration. This service pauses over December and January, but we're happy to support you throughout the rest of the year. 

Are you a CDU staff member? If you have concerns about a student's food security, contact equity@cdu.edu.au (with the student's consent) and a food hamper can be arranged for them. 

For students who need more frequent or ongoing assistance, we can provide information on community organisations that provide food relief, low-cost groceries including culturally appropriate options.

Explore these collections of simple, affordable recipes using common food pack items. These recipes are designed to be nutritious, easy to make and budget-friendly.

In some Australian Cities and regional centres, apps such as Too Good to Go or Foody Bag save food from going to waste by connecting users to great-value food. Users purchase and collect a "surprise bag" of surplus food from providers for much less than the retail price.