Zero Hunger
Student Food Insecurity and Hunger
The University of Newcastle is committed to supporting our students’ wellbeing, including addressing issues related to food insecurity and hunger through an ongoing, coordinated range of food, financial hardship, crisis referral and wellbeing support.
In 2025, the University and the University of Newcastle Students Association (UNSA) provided a range of ongoing support services aimed at reducing student food insecurity, including:
- Food Assistance Programs: Students can access free food and emergency support through a range of University and UNSA services. The University has previously provided access to food banks and emergency food relief, and also during periods of increased need such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
- UNSA Pantry: This University of Newcastle Students Association free breakfast program is available to all UoN students every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. It helps to ensure that all students have access to a healthy, nutritious breakfast, that supports participation in study. Other regular programs include Free Food Friday, which provides essential groceries, and Free BBQs during term.
Each year, UNSA outperforms itself by numbers as more students rely on these services to ensure they have proper, warm meals. In 2025 UNSA provided:
- UNSA Grocery Hub: 236 individual students over a total of 737 visits
- Free Food Friday: 2,768 students across a 42-week period
- Free Lunches: 34,000 serves of free lunches provided across Callaghan, NUSpace, Ourimbah, Gosford, HMRI & Sydney
- OzHarvest Collaboration (Free Food Friday): 24,921 kg of food rescued (equivalent to 49,842 meals)
These numbers have already been surpassed in 2026, and we expect a continuation as the cost-of-living crisis worsens. Organisations that ensure Zero Hunger are in higher and higher demand, and the University will continue to support students who require these services to the fullest.
Other student financial support in place during 2025:
- Student Hardship Fund: This fund offers financial assistance to students experiencing unexpected hardship, helping them cover essential living expenses including food.
- Crisis and Wellbeing Support: Through University Health and Wellbeing services, students can access crisis support and referrals to food assistance services.
- Financial Wellbeing Services: The University provides guidance and support to help students manage their finances, including budgeting advice and access to emergency aid when needed.
These ongoing initiatives provide a coordinated approach to student food insecurity and hunger, combining direct food assistance with financial hardship, crisis referral and financial wellbeing support to help students remain engaged in their studies.This reflects our ongoing commitment to ensure that no student goes hungry and that all students have access to the basic resources they need to thrive academically and personally.
Dr Penta Pristijono
"As food scientists, we will always be facing new challenges of providing high quality food that meets consumer demands."
Currently working at the University of Newcastle as a lecturer and researcher, Dr Penta Pristijono chose to work in food science because of its universal relevance.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.