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.
FOOD MAP
Explore free and affordable food options around Concordia.
Community Resources on Campus
FREE MEALS
Learn about free meal programs on and around campus.
COMMUNITY FRIDGES
Check out free food fridges and pantries on and around campus.
FREE GROCERIES
Several organizations on campus offer free weekly groceries for students.
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. The Hive Café Co-op Pay-it-forward program can be used for items such as coffee, tea, chilli, burrito, and soup.
Market Dollars
The Concordia Farmers’ Market, in partnership with local campus organizations, will distribute Market Dollars to students exclusively 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.
Concordia University Food Resources
If you are facing an emergency when it comes to accessing food, speak to any Concordia staff member who works in student services.
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.
STUDENT DISCOUNTS
Save money with student discounts, grocery and meal apps!
MICROWAVES
Visit the Concordia maps of microwaves, sinks and nursing stations.
MARKETS
Visit your campus market and learn about other markets and food baskets in Montreal.
Downtown Food Resources
Ready to Eat Meals
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.
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.
Located at 3714 Parc.
Groceries
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.
Located at Centre St Jax: 1439 Ste Catherine W. (Follow the signs!)
Affordable grocery store with vegetarian and vegan options, steps from SGW campus.
Located at 1420 du Fort, Montreal.
City-wide Food Programs
Ready-to-go Meals:
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.”
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.
Groceries:
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 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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
MONEY SAVING APPS
Use this layout for the main, largest icon above the title — the default choice.
ALL PROGRAMS
View 25+ Citywide programs here.
