The CFC Guide to Food Aid Resources
At Concordia, food insecurity isn’t a fringe issue – recent data shows that more than two-thirds of students report some level of food insecurity, shaped by rising costs, precarious incomes, and systemic barriers that make food harder to access.
While there are emergency food programs on and off campus, hurdles like complex eligibility requirements, limited hours, stigma, and lack of awareness often keep students from getting the support they need.
Drawing from student experiences, this guide was created to liberate access to food resources and support students in navigating the bureaucratic, financial, and social hurdles that too often block meaningful access, while building community-led pathways toward lasting food justice.
Montreal-wide Food Aid Resources
Community Groups at Concordia
Concordia Food Coalition Market Dollars Program
The Concordia Farmers’ Market, in partnership with local campus organizations, will distribute Market Dollars to students during September and October.
These Market Dollars will serve as an alternative form of currency, allowing students to make purchases at our market stalls during the fall season.
Market Dollar coupons can be requested at any of the distribution partners:
(Health Services, Access Centre, CSU, Financial Aid and Awards Office, Otsenhakta Student Centre, Student Parent Centre, HOJO)
Market Dollars are available to any student who asks about the program. They do not have to be confirmed food insecure to benefit from the program. Students are entitled to four (4) coupons per week to ensure coupons can reach as many students as possible for the whole market season.
Students can use these coupons at any vendor at the market! They can treat the coupons like $5 bills, like cash.
Seasonal Availability: The CFM Market Dollars Program is season-specific, aligning with the market’s operating schedule. Make sure to redeem your dollars before our last market day.
Ready-to-go Meals:
The People’s Potato
The People’s Potato serves by-donation vegan meal during the academic year. Meals are single serving, with leftovers made available at the CSU community fridge.
BYOC – bring your own (reusable) container, in the interest of eco-friendliness and sustainability.
They also provide Emergency Food Baskets on Fridays throughout the semester See their website for details.
Monday – Thursday between 12:30pm – 2pm.
Located on the 7th floor of the Hall Building at Concordia, 1455 de Maisonneuve West.
Hive Free Breakfast
The Hive Free Breakfast serves a free vegan breakfast daily during the academic year.
BYOC – bring your own (reusable) container, in the interest of eco-friendliness and sustainability.
Monday-Friday between 9:30 – 10:30am.
Located on the 2nd floor of the SC (Student Center, next to the Library) on the Concordia Loyola Campus.
Hive Free Lunch
The Hive Free Lunch serves a free vegan lunch during the academic year.
BYOC – bring your own (reusable) container, in the interest of eco-friendliness and sustainability.
Lunch is served Monday-Friday during the fall and winter semesters between 12:30pm – 1:30pm.
Located on the 2nd floor of the SC (Student Center, next to the Library) on the Concordia Loyola Campus.
Follow the Hive Free Lunch on Instagram for extra special meals event announcements.
Hive Free Dinner
This organization now offers free dinner on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, from 5-6pm during the school semester.
CREW Free Lunch
The CREW Union is a a student-worker led union for Teaching and Research Assistants at Concordia University, which serves free lunches on Fridays, at certain periods throughout the school year. This lunch is open to all CREW members.
The Spinach Collective Supper Club
The Spinach Collective Supper Club Free Dinner Program at SGW, serving once or twice a month during the school year. Hosted frequently in the Art Nook, 1455 de Maisonneuve West, H-7th floor (no fixed location.)
Free Community Dinners and Spirituali-Tea Events
The Multifaith and Spirituality Centre offers free tea and snacks on Tuesdays during the school year. The Centre also organizes a free meal, with vegan and vegetarian options, open to volunteer cooks, every month during the semester. Check their website for details. Registration is required.
Hive Café Co-op – Pay-it-forward Program
Customers can purchase a food item for someone else to request later. When in need, students can check for available items to take. Hive Cafe Coop Pay it forward program can be used for items such as coffee, tea, chilli, burrito, soup.
FREE Groceries
Warm Hearts Community Fridge
Students and Centre for Gender Advocacy members can access the free food pantry and fridge at 2110 rue Mackay, first floor. Open to all. Updates on what will be available will be made as often as possible in the CGA Instagram account “Warm Hearts” story highlight. Open during office hours:
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Megans Fridge and Pantry
The fridge and pantry is located on Loyola campus, inthe Hive Free Lunch space (SC-200) and is open and available for use Mondays to Fridays, 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM. There is space in the fridge for perishables and space beside the fridge for dry goods. The program is managed by Hive Free Lunch.
Loyola Campus – SC-200, Open during campus hours 11am – 11pm
Free Groceries with Hive Free Meals
Every Wednesday during the school year, Hive Free Lunch provides free groceries to Concordia Students with ID. Bring your own bag. Runs 4-5pm as long as supplies last.
Emergency Food Baskets
The service is open to everyone, with no registration necessary. Food baskets are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. It’s advisable to arrive early, as a line often forms before distribution begins. What to Bring: Recipients must bring their own bags, and wear masks as the organization does not provide them. No identification is required to access this service. People’s Potato kitchen, located on the 7th floor of the Henry Hall Building (1455 de Maisonneuve W., Room H-700.
The Emergency Food Fund: Food Vouchers / Gift Cards
The CSU (Concordia Student Union) provides emergency food vouchers to students who find themselves in urgent need. You can receive a voucher for a free burrito or soup and salad at the Hive Café Co-op (limit 2 vouchers per term), $20 in Market Dollars to be used at the Fall Concordia Farmers Market or a $25 grocery store gift card via the Student and Emergency Food Fund.
To request a food voucher, individuals must email their full name, ID number and proof of their student status at Concordia to office@csu.qc.ca or visit Request Emergency Food Fund. The amount provided is at the discretion of the CSU and a maximum of two vouchers can be granted per semester per student. The information provided is strictly confidential.
Community Cravings Fridge and Pantry
Students can access the free food pantry and fridge – located in the Hall building – 7th floor, Art Hive. This food service is managed by the Concordia Student Union and is restocked by individuals, thus amounts are subject to change.
Affordable Groceries
Le Frigo Vert
Le Frigo Vert offers a Healthy grocery store with affordable prices. They also offer Pay-What-You-Can weekly food baskets and PWYC Herbal Medicines. Frigo hosts workshops and offers rentable event space.
The Frigo Cafe within offers coffee, tea, lunch and snacks.
Open Monday – Thursday 12pm – 6pm
Located 1444 Rue Mackay.
Concordia Food Aid Programs
If you are facing an emergency when it comes to accessing food, speak to any Concordia staff member who works in student services.
Emergency Meal Plan (EMP)
Hospitality Concordia provides $100 on student cards once per semester to use at Concordia Food Services locations (Loyola Residence Dining Hall (LeBuzz) and ConU Retail). Though managed by Concordia Food Services, EMPs are distributed by administrative unit partners at their discretion (Financial Aid and Awards Office, Campus Wellness and Support Services, Concordia University Student Parents, Student Success Centre, Otsenhákta Student Centre).
University-provided Affordable food options
Concordia Food Services’ contract with Aramark requires the food service provider to sell fresh fruit at reduced margins and offer a combo special for less than $8.
Food facilities
Microwaves and sinks are available to students on both campuses. There are no kitchens available for students to cook meals on the Concordia campus.
Student Emergency Food Fund (SEFF)
This fund provides short-term support through grocery store vouchers and emergency bursaries to students facing unexpected financial challenges. Offered through The Financial Aid and Awards Office (FAAO) primarily, and through ACCESS and Health Services as well, this Needs-based Bursaries and Grocery cards valued between $50-100 1/term.
(FAAO) offers bursaries to undergraduate students, while bursaries for graduate students are distributed by departments. The FAAO also manages emergency bursaries for undergraduate and graduate students in distress. These bursaries are awarded on a case-by-case basis and are not widely advertised.
To apply, contact the Financial Aid and Awards Office. Students are screened to assess the level of financial/food insecurity.
Concordia Campus Area
Ready to Eat Meals
The Rabbit Hole Café
The RHC serves a vegan lunch during the academic year at an affordable price. BYOC – bring your own (reusable) container, in the interest of eco-friendliness and sustainability.Open for take-out service. Fridays at 12:30pm.Located at 3625 rue Aylmer, in the Milton Parc community.
Coop Milton Park
The Coop offers lunch, by-donation, on Tuesdays, 12:30-1:30pm at 3714 Parc. Eat on site, or bring a container and cutlery to take your meal to-go.
Groceries
Innovation Assistance
(near SGW Campus)
The Innovation Assistance solidarity farmers markets run the first and third Monday of every month at Centre St Jax. For a full list of dates and hours, please visit their website.
Members: Produce, eggs, and milk will cost 20% of their retail price; dry goods are priced by weight; cans and snacks are free; bread is free depending on availability
Non-members: Produce is priced at 50% of its retail price.
Don’t forget to bring your grocery bags and card or cash for payment.
Open first and third Monday each month, 2-5pm.
Located at Centre St Jax: 1439 Ste Catherine W. (Follow the signs!)
The Refugee Centre “Pay It Forward Fund”
The Refugee Centre “Pay It Forward Fund” provides clients with culturally appropriate food. Offered to Refugees, Immigrants, and Refugee Claimants.
2107 Rue Sainte-Catherine O, Suite 100
PA Grocery (near SGW campus)
Affordable grocery store with vegetarian and vegan options, steps from SGW campus.
Located at 1420 du Fort, Montreal.
City-wide Food Programs
Indigenous-specific:
Food resources in Tiohtià:ke
Ready-to-go Meals:
PART du Chef
PART du Chef offers affordable frozen meals “for those wishing to adopt a healthy and balanced diet but cannot cook due to a lack of time or a physical disability.”
Multicaf
The Multicaf in Côte-des-Neiges, near the downtown campus at 3591 Av. Appleton, runs a community cafeteria, a low-cost market, a social market (reduction 50% from low cost), free breakfast (Mon-Fri 9am-10:30am), hot lunch ($2.00) and hot dinner ($2.50).
For the social market, ID for every family member and proof of residence, and some programs may require proof of income to be eligible.
Get a low-cost meal at Multicaf
Groceries:
Les Main du Quartier
Les Main de Quartier offers affordable food baskets and hot meals, for community members, including students. Visit their website or call for more information and to register for services: 514 989-1735.
Located block off campus: 1857, boulevard De Maisonneuve W.
The Depot
The Depot is currently providing food basket services. Located in Notre-dame-de-grace, at 6450 Somerled Ave. Visit their website to see if you are eligible and contact them directly to sign up as they are reserved for NDG-CDN Residents, registration required and will check postal code on ID.
Markets available for general community; pricing differences based on level of food insecurity”
The NDG Food Depot also offers a wide array of growing, cooking and food sharing programs. Their Good Food Markets run a few times a week from July – October.
Emergency Food Baskets for those registered:
(Tuesday: 2-6:45pm; Wednesday: 10:00 -5:45pm; Thursday: 10am – 3pm; Friday: 10am-3pm),
Resto Depot ($2-$12 sliding scale, Tuesday: 2:30:pm – 6:45pm; Thursday: 10:30am-2:15pm)
Carrefour Solidare
Carrefour Solidaire offers different food resources and programs. Check out their website for their collective kitchen details and other food security programs.
Located at 2375 St Catherine St E, Montreal.
Milton Parc Citizens Committee
The MPCC works with the Lutheran food bank and distributes solidarity food shares to community members.
The program runs every Sunday from 2-4pm.
Located at 3590 Jeanne Mance, Montreal.
Santropol Roulant
Santropol has a weekly farmers’ market, organic CSA baskets, and a general store. Visit their website for the latest times and information on how to access their programs.
Located in the Plateau at 11 Rue Roy E, Montréal.
St Monica’s Parish
St Monica’s Parish offers emergency food aid with a community pantry. Open every third and fourth Tuesday of the month, 8:30AM – 11:30AM.
Food Organizations / Food Banks:
Food Resources by Neighbourhood (English)
Ressources alimentaires par quartier (Francais)
Community-managed Info-sheet on options for finding food in every area of Montreal.
Call 211 – City of Montreal Emergency Community Resources
The Information and Referral Center of Greater Montreal is an organization that directs people seeking help to hundreds of community resources that provide the services they need. They can help you find food banks and a lot more in your neighbourhood.
Arrondissement.com
This website provides information on the services available in the districts throughout Quebec. Select “alimentation” from the “Catégories” dropdown menu at the upper left of the page. Then select your area in the dropdown menu just below (the default is “Tout Arrondissement.com”) to reveal food related resources in your area.
Second Life
This website offers the opportunity to buy “ugly produce” — fruits and vegetables that are misshapen or undersized, but otherwise perfectly good — at discount prices. There are two pickup locations within a five-minute walk of campus! See their website or this CTV News article and video for more information.
APPS
Too Good To Go
Get surprise bags of unsold food from restaurants, cafés, and bakeries at a steep discount. You save money and help prevent food waste. You can download the Too Good to Go app for free to access surplus food from local stores.
FoodHero
Find discounted groceries nearing their best-before date from participating supermarkets. Same food, lower price, less waste. Check out Food Hero here.
Imperfect / Improv
Access surplus meals or food items that would otherwise be wasted, sold at reduced prices. A flexible option that supports food rescue and affordability. Improove
CONCORDIA FOOD
COALITION
info@concordiafoodcoalition.com
Our office is located in the Z Annex, along with Sustainable Concordia and the Sustainability Action Fund @ 2090 Mackay (Montreal, Quebec, H3G 2J1). Please note our offices are not wheelchair accessible. We are located on the second floor of the Z-Annex up two flights of stairs. If you would like to set-up a meeting with us in a wheelchair accessible location please reach out to us at: info@concordiafoodcoalition.com The Z-Annex is equipped with two gender neutral bathrooms, and is a shared space with other student groups and the Multi-Faith Spiritual Centre.
Concordia University is located on unceded Kanien’kehá:ka territory.
CONCORDIA FOOD
COALITION
info@concordiafoodcoalition.com
Our office is located in the Z Annex, along with Sustainable Concordia and the Sustainability Action Fund @ 2090 Mackay (Montreal, Quebec, H3G 2J1). Please note our offices are not wheelchair accessible. We are located on the second floor of the Z-Annex up two flights of stairs. If you would like to set-up a meeting with us in a wheelchair accessible location please reach out to us at: info@concordiafoodcoalition.com The Z-Annex is equipped with two gender neutral bathrooms, and is a shared space with other student groups and the Multi-Faith Spiritual Centre.
Concordia University is located on unceded Kanien’kehá:ka territory.