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Montreal, March 31, 2026 — The scale of the food crisis among Quebec’s student population is being underestimated, according to a new survey conducted by Équiterre, in collaboration with the Fédération étudiante collégiale du Québec (FECQ) and the Union étudiante du Québec (UEQ).
The results are from an extensive consultation on post-secondary student eating habits involving 667 individuals enrolled in CEGEPs and universities in the fall of 2025.
Students going without food
Among students facing food insecurity (those who often or sometimes lack food), 20% report regularly skipping meals. Even more concerning, half of the students who sometimes or often lack food have never accessed the food assistance programs available on their campuses.
Another survey conducted across six Quebec colleges in February 2025 revealed that 44% of students experienced some form of severe, moderate, or mild food insecurity.
"With the rising cost of food, this trend will not reverse anytime soon but will very likely worsen."
-Adeline Cohen, project manager at Équiterre
The primary obstacles to eating adequately which were identified by students are:
High food costs;
Lack of time between classes, internships, and jobs;
Stigma related to financial insecurity, which can hold students back from seeking available help;
Lack of culinary skills and food literacy;
Lack of cooking equipment (only 24% of students facing food insecurity have the necessary tools).
Tailored solutions on campus
"The students consulted aren't looking for charity. They are asking for concrete, accessible solutions that respect their reality. In such a critical phase of their lives, feeding themselves should not be a major source of anxiety," states Lyanna Toupin, head of the Sociopolitical Affairs Commission at the FECQ.
The most popular measures identified during the consultation were:
More affordable food options on and off campus;
Better-stocked community fridges and pantries;
Solidarity-priced cafes and grocery stores;
Occasional free meals and universal student discounts;
Better communication regarding available food aid.
International students are even more vulnerable
The consultation revealed that the situation is particularly alarming for international students.
Only 27% report having access to the food they would like, compared to 49% for the overall respondent group. Less than a third (28%) have the equipment to cook elaborate meals, and only 17% receive assistance from their parents to get food, compared to a global average of 50%.
Furthermore, international students are limited in their authorized working hours, which reduces their potential income.
Strengthening the capacity for students to nourish themselves
"Solving this problem cannot rest solely on the shoulders of students. We also need the commitment of higher education institutions and political decision-makers," explains Flora Dommanget, président for the UEQ.
For Équiterre and its partners, this consultation marks the launch of the project Student Mobilization to Shop Smarter, Eat Better, which aims to help equip post-secondary students with information and tools to be able to feed themselves in a way that is nutritious, affordable, and environmentally-responsibly.
"Issues of affordability, health, social justice, and the environment can all be tackled head-on in our educational institutions. They are places where we have incredible leverage to effect change, and we will keep working in this direction," concludes Adeline Cohen.
For more information: 514-605-2000 ; media@equiterre.org
Methodology: The public consultation was conducted throughout November 2025 across Quebec. An online survey collected responses from students enrolled in Quebec post-secondary institutions.
Partners: Student Mobilization to Shop Smarter, Eat Better is an Équiterre project, in collaboration with the FECQ and the UEQ. This project is made possible through the financial support of the Dufresne & Gauthier Foundation and the Government of Quebec as part of the 2025-2030 Youth Action Plan, coordinated by the Secrétariat à la Jeunesse.
Équiterre's offices are located on Indigenous lands that have not been ceded by treaty, which we now call Montreal and Quebec City. We recognize that Indigenous peoples have protected their territories since immemorial times and have used their traditional knowledge to guard the lands and waters. We are grateful to live on these lands and are committed to continuing our efforts to protect them. Read more »
