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.
This guide brings together free meals, groceries, community fridges, emergency financial support and affordable food options at Concordia and across Montreal. We’ve included information about eligibility, cost and how to access each resource wherever possible—so you can spend less time navigating systems and more time getting the support you need.
Need food right now?
If you’re having an emergency accessing food, speak to any Concordia staff member who works in Student Services; they can determine whether you’re eligible for a grocery gift card or other emergency food support.
FOOD MAP
Explore free and affordable food options around Concordia.
Community Resources at Concordia
GET FOOD NOW
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.
MAKE FOOD COST LESS
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. 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.
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.
STUDENT DISCOUNTS
Save money with student discounts, grocery and meal apps!
MARKETS
Visit your campus market and learn about other markets and food baskets in Montreal.
MONEY SAVING APPS
Check out these apps that can help you save money on groceries and take-out meals.
WEEKLY FOOD BOXES
Montreal has several food basket and grocery delivery programs that make it easier to access fresh produce.
Concordia University Food Resources
Student Emergency Food Fund (SEFF)
The Student Emergency and Food Fund provides short-term support, including grocery store gift cards and emergency bursaries, to students experiencing unexpected financial hardship. 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. Click the Microwaves card below to view all locations.
Affordable Food Resources Downtown
AFFORDABLE 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.
WHAT: Affordable lunch WHERE: 3625 rue Aylmer WHEN: Open for take-out service. Fridays at 12:30 pm. COST: Under $5 ACCESS: Open to all
Coop BMP is a worker-run solidarity cooperative offering affordable food and drinks in a community-focused space. Its solidarity approach aims to keep meals accessible while supporting fair working conditions.
WHAT: Affordable meals & drinks, Community Fridge
WHERE: 3714 Park Avenue
COST: Low-cost / solidarity-focused pricing
ACCESS: Open to everyone. Check the current menu and opening hours before visiting.
Les Mains du Quartier offers affordable food baskets and hot meals to community members, including students.
WHAT: Affordable food baskets & hot meals
WHERE: 1857 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W. — about one block from SGW Campus
ACCESS: Registration is required for some services. Contact the organization for current eligibility and availability.
PHONE: 514-989-1735
AFFORDABLE GROCERIES
Innovation Assistance operates solidarity markets designed to make fresh food more accessible through a social pricing model.
WHAT: Fresh produce, groceries & other market foods
WHERE: 2205 Tupper Street
COST: Solidarity pricing — shoppers can choose from different price levels based on what they can afford
ACCESS: Open to the community. Check the current market schedule before visiting.
A full-service grocery store close to campus with fresh produce, pantry staples, meat, seafood, cheese and prepared foods. PA regularly offers weekly specials that can make it a useful lower-cost grocery option downtown.
WHAT: Full-service grocery store
WHERE: 1420 Fort Street
WHEN: Open daily
COST: Regular grocery prices with weekly specials
ACCESS: Open to everyone; in-store shopping and online ordering available.
Marché Newon
A large Asian supermarket just steps from Concordia with a wide selection of affordable ingredients and international foods. Newon is especially useful for students looking for Asian pantry staples, rice, noodles, sauces, tofu, produce, meat, seafood, frozen foods and inexpensive snacks.
WHAT: Full-service Asian grocery store
WHERE: 1616 Sainte-Catherine St. W., Suite 302 — inside Le Faubourg
WHEN: Daily, 9 AM–9 PM
COST: Regular grocery prices with weekly specials
ACCESS: Open to everyone
Food Support Across Montreal
MEALS AND PREPARED FOOD
PART du Chef offers affordable frozen meals for people looking for nutritious, balanced prepared food, including those who may have difficulty cooking because of limited time or a physical disability.
WHAT: Affordable frozen prepared meals
COST: Low-cost, varies – see website for updated pricing.
ACCESS: Visit PART du Chef for current products, prices and ordering information.
Multicaf offers several affordable and emergency food programs from its Côte-des-Neiges location.
WHAT: Free breakfast, hot meals, low-cost groceries & social market
WHERE: 3591 Appleton Avenue
COST: Free breakfast · Lunch $2 · Dinner $2.50 · Social Market offers additional reductions from low-cost prices
WHEN: Free breakfast Monday–Friday, 9–10:30 AM
ELIGIBILITY: Requirements vary by program. The Social Market requires identification for each family member and proof of residence; some programs may also require proof of income.
GROCERIES & FOOD AID
Le Dépôt offers emergency and affordable food programs alongside community cooking, gardening and food-sharing initiatives.
WHAT: Food baskets, affordable markets & community food programs
WHERE: 6450 Somerled Avenue, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce
ELIGIBILITY: Food basket services are reserved for residents of NDG/CDN. Registration is required and proof of address/postal code may be requested.
COST: Varies by program and level of food insecurity. Community markets are available to the general public.
SEASONAL: Good Food Markets offer low-cost produce several times per week from approximately July–October.
Carrefour Solidaire offers food-access programs designed to make fresh and nutritious food more accessible, including community meals and affordable food initiatives.
WHAT: Community meals, groceries & affordable food programs
WHO: Eligibility varies by program
WHERE: Centre-Sud- 2375 St Catherine St E
COST: Free or low-cost
ACCESS: Check the individual programs for registration requirements
Milton Parc Citizens Committee
The Milton-Parc Citizens’ Committee works with the Lutheran food bank to distribute solidarity food shares to community members.
WHAT: Food shares
WHERE: 3590 Jeanne-Mance Street
WHEN: Sundays, 2–4 PM
ACCESS: Check with the MPCC for current availability and participation information.
Santropol Roulant operates several community food initiatives focused on making fresh, locally produced food more accessible.
WHAT: Farmers’ market, organic CSA baskets & general store
WHERE: 111 Roy St. E.
COST: Varies by program
ACCESS: Visit Santropol Roulant for current market schedules, basket availability and program information.
St. Monica’s Parish operates a community pantry providing emergency food assistance.
WHAT: Emergency groceries / community pantry
WHERE: NDG – 6405 Terrebonne
WHEN: Third and fourth Tuesday of each month, 8:30–11:30 AM
COST: Free
ACCESS: Check with St. Monica’s before visiting to confirm the current pantry schedule and any eligibility requirements.
FIND SUPPORT NEAR YOU
Food Resources by Neighbourhood (English)
Ressources alimentaires par quartier (Français)
Community-managed Info-sheet on options for finding food in every area of Montreal.
Call 211 – City of Montreal Emergency Community Resources
Not near one of the organizations above? 211 can help you find food banks, free and low-cost meals, community organizations and other food assistance close to where you live.
Search by location and type of support to find services available in your neighbourhood.
Search for community organizations and services throughout Montreal and Quebec.
To find food resources, select “Alimentation” from the category menu, then select your neighbourhood or borough.
MORE RESOURCES
MONEY SAVING APPS
Use this layout for the main, largest icon above the title — the default choice.
ALL PROGRAMS
Looking for more options? Explore our larger directory of food programs and organizations across Montreal.
Last updated: September 2026
Hours, prices, eligibility requirements and program availability can change. We recommend checking directly with an organization before visiting.